                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

IMPORTING FISH, SHELLFISH OR CRUSTACEA FOR INTRODUCTION INTO WATERS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH; PENALTY (§ 28.2-825)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to import any fish, shellfish or
crustacea into the Commonwealth with the intent of placing such fish, shellfish
or crustacea into the waters of the Commonwealth unless one of the following
conditions exists:

   1. The fish, shellfish or crustacea are coming from within the continental
   United States from a state or waters which are on the Marine Resources
   Commission&#8217;s list of approved states and waters, and are species which
   are on the Marine Resources Commission&#8217;s list of approved species; or

   2. The person has notified the Commissioner of Marine Resources of such intent
   and has received written permission from the Commissioner of Marine Resources.
   				The list of approved states and waters shall be published by the
   Commissioner 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 Commissioner 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 Commissioner 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 Commissioner 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.

B. The notification of intent to import shall be in writing and submitted to the
Commissioner of Marine Resources at least thirty days prior to the date of
importation. The notice shall state: (i) the specific fish, shellfish or
crustacea to be imported, (ii) from what waters the fish, shellfish or crustacea
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 fish,
shellfish or crustacea are to be placed.
			A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

HISTORY: 1974, c. 327, § 28.1-183.2; 1992, c. 836.