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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>75452</law_id><section_number>28.2-825</section_number><catch_line>Importing fish, shellfish or crustacea for introduction into waters of the Commonwealth; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="28.2">Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Tidal Fisheries</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="8">Health and Sanitation Provisions</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Control of Crustacea, Finfish and Shellfish; Violations and Penalties</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> It shall be unlawful for any person to import any <span class="dictionary">fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span> or <span class="dictionary">crustacea</span> into the Commonwealth with the <span class="dictionary">intent</span> of placing such <span class="dictionary">fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span> or <span class="dictionary">crustacea</span> into the waters of the Commonwealth unless one of the following conditions exists: <a id="paragraph-270827" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-825/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span> or <span class="dictionary">crustacea</span> are coming from within the continental United States from a state or waters which are on the Marine Resources <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>&#x2019;s list of approved states and waters, and are species which are on the Marine Resources <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>&#x2019;s list of approved species; or <a id="paragraph-270828" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-825/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The person has notified the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources of such <span class="dictionary">intent</span> and has received written permission from the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources.
				The list of approved states and waters shall be published by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources, and a state or water shall be placed on or removed from such list only with the concurrence of the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources, with the concurrence of the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, is authorized to change the list when he determines that it is necessary for the protection of the waters of the Commonwealth.
				The list of approved species shall be published by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources, and a species shall be placed on or removed from such list only with the concurrence of the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources, with the concurrence of the Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, is authorized to change the list when he determines that it is necessary for the protection of the waters of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-270829" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-825/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The notification of <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to import shall be in writing and submitted to the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> of Marine Resources at least thirty days prior to the date of importation. The notice shall state: (i) the specific <span class="dictionary">fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span> or <span class="dictionary">crustacea</span> to be imported, (ii) from what waters the <span class="dictionary">fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span> or <span class="dictionary">crustacea</span> are being taken, (iii) the period of time over which importation is to be accomplished, (iv) the quantities involved, and (v) into what waters the <span class="dictionary">fish</span>, <span class="dictionary">shellfish</span> or <span class="dictionary">crustacea</span> are to be placed.
			A violation of this section is a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-270830" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/28.2-825/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1974, c. 327, &#xA7; 28.1-183.2; 1992, c. 836.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
