                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

LIMITATIONS ON SIZES OF CRABS TO BE TAKEN; INSPECTION OF CATCH; EXEMPTION;
PENALTY (§ 28.2-708)

A. It is unlawful for any person to catch, take or have in his possession more
than ten hard crabs per United States standard bushel or thirty-five hard crabs
per barrel, which measure less than five inches across the shell from tip to tip
of the longest spikes, or to destroy them in any manner. Those undersized crabs
in excess of the allowance level shall be immediately returned to the water
alive. Adult female crabs, peeler crabs and soft crabs are exempt from these
limitations.

B. Any officer may grade or cull any number of barrels, baskets or containers of
crabs in any person&#8217;s possession.
			If the officer finds more than ten undersize hard crabs per United States
standard bushel or thirty-five per barrel, he shall seize the entire quantity of
crabs in or from each such container, and the person who possessed the crabs
shall immediately return them to the water. Refusal to return the crabs to the
water is a separate offense from any other violation.

C. The requirement in subsections A and B to return crabs to the waters shall
apply to crabs taken and in possession of a crabber or catcher but shall not
apply to crabs which have been purchased by and are in the possession of a
buyer, nor shall it apply to crabs which have been transported at least five
miles from the nearest salt water.

D. The Commission may change such size restrictions for a period not to exceed
sixty days to respond to significant ecological changes.

E. A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 28-172; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-167; 1966, c.
684; 1970, cc. 610, 726; 1977, c. 35; 1978, c. 369; 1981, c. 52; 1985, c. 166;
1992, c. 836; 1996, cc. 136, 333.