{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/28.2-305.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/28.2-305.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/28.2-305.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/28.2-305.html"}],"law_id":356619,"edition_id":2,"section_id":356619,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-305","catch_line":"Size of mesh and length and depth of certain nets; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 28-46; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-51; 1992, c. 836; 2012, c. 228.","full_text":"A\n\nIt is unlawful for any person to use the following nets:\n\n1\n\nA pound net or a mullet gill net that is less than 200 yards long having a smaller mesh than two inches, stretched measure, after having been tarred;\n\n2\n\nA haul seine longer than 1,000 yards and if over 200 yards long having mesh less than three inches, stretched measure; however, the mesh of up to 400 feet of the net shall be no less than two and one-half inches, stretched measure, when the haul seine is set from the beach whereby one end of the net is anchored to the shore and the other end is mechanically drawn, without the aid of a boat or vessel, to the shore; or\n\n3\n\nA mullet gill net deeper than 40 meshes.\n\nB\n\nIt is unlawful to set a pound net or other fixed fishing device on an established and presently used haul seine area, except that this provision shall not affect a pound net stand presently licensed.\n\nC\n\nA violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1327662,"text":"It is unlawful for any person to use the following nets:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1327663,"text":"A pound net or a mullet gill net that is less than 200 yards long having a smaller mesh than two inches, stretched measure, after having been tarred;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1327664,"text":"A haul seine longer than 1,000 yards and if over 200 yards long having mesh less than three inches, stretched measure; however, the mesh of up to 400 feet of the net shall be no less than two and one-half inches, stretched measure, when the haul seine is set from the beach whereby one end of the net is anchored to the shore and the other end is mechanically drawn, without the aid of a boat or vessel, to the shore; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":1327665,"text":"A mullet gill net deeper than 40 meshes.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":1327666,"text":"It is unlawful to set a pound net or other fixed fishing device on an established and presently used haul seine area, except that this provision shall not affect a pound net stand presently licensed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":1327667,"text":"A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51043,"edition_id":2,"name":"Taking of Fish, Net, and Device Restrictions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51040,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:24","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:44","permalink":{"id":1418083,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51043,"identifier":"2","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2","url":"\/28.2\/II\/3\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51040,"edition_id":2,"name":"Finfish","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50998,"metadata":{"child_laws":34,"child_structures":4},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:43","permalink":{"id":1418009,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51040,"identifier":"3","token":"28.2\/II\/3","url":"\/28.2\/II\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50998,"edition_id":2,"name":"Tidal Fisheries","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50994,"metadata":{"child_laws":289,"child_structures":42},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:42","permalink":{"id":1417675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50998,"identifier":"II","token":"28.2\/II","url":"\/28.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50994,"edition_id":2,"name":"Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters","identifier":"28.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":70,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":386,"child_structures":71},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:41","permalink":{"id":1417591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50994,"identifier":"28.2","token":"28.2","url":"\/28.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":356617,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-303","catch_line":"Taking and sale of sturgeon prohibited; penalty","url":"\/28.2-303\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-303","metadata":false},{"id":356618,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-304","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/28.2-304\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-304","metadata":false},{"id":356619,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-305","catch_line":"Size of mesh and length and depth of certain nets; penalty","url":"\/28.2-305\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-305","metadata":false},{"id":356620,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-306","catch_line":"Use of certain fishing devices in certain waters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-306\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-306","metadata":false},{"id":356621,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-307","catch_line":"Length of fixed fishing device; gill nets; penalty","url":"\/28.2-307\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-307","metadata":false},{"id":356622,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-308","catch_line":"Setting of gill nets in oceanfront; penalty","url":"\/28.2-308\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-308","metadata":false},{"id":356623,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-309","catch_line":"Distance nets may extend across body of water or channel; prohibition; regulations; penalty","url":"\/28.2-309\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-309","metadata":false},{"id":356624,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-310","catch_line":"Trotline prohibited on ocean side of Eastern Shore; penalty","url":"\/28.2-310\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-310","metadata":false},{"id":356625,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-311","catch_line":"Chickahominy River in Charles City; penalty","url":"\/28.2-311\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-311","metadata":false},{"id":356626,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-312","catch_line":"Rappahannock River and certain of its tributaries; penalty","url":"\/28.2-312\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-312","metadata":false},{"id":356627,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-313","catch_line":"Killing fish by means of explosives, drugs, or poisons; possession; penalty","url":"\/28.2-313\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-313","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":356618,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-304","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/28.2-304\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-304","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":356620,"structure_id":51043,"section_number":"28.2-306","catch_line":"Use of certain fishing devices in certain waters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-306\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-306","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-305\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1962, chapter 406; in 1992, chapter 836; in 2012, chapter 228<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1418093,"object_type":"law","relational_id":356619,"identifier":"28.2-305","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-305","url":"\/28.2-305\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-305\/","token":"28.2\/II\/3\/2\/28.2-305","dublin_core":{"Title":"Size of mesh and length and depth of certain nets; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-305","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person to use the following nets: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A pound net<\/span> or a mullet gill net that is less than 200 yards long having a smaller mesh than two inches, stretched measure, after having been tarred; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A haul seine<\/span> longer than 1,000 yards and if over 200 yards long having mesh less than three inches, stretched measure; however, the mesh of up to 400 feet of the net shall be no less than two and one-half inches, stretched measure, when the haul seine<\/span> is set from the beach whereby one end of the net is anchored to the shore and the other end is mechanically drawn, without the aid of a boat or vessel, to the shore; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A mullet gill net deeper than 40 meshes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is unlawful to set a pound net<\/span> or other fixed fishing<\/span> device on an established and presently used haul seine<\/span> area, except that this provision shall not affect a pound net<\/span> stand presently licensed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSIZE OF MESH AND LENGTH AND DEPTH OF CERTAIN NETS; PENALTY (\u00a7 28.2-305)\n\nA. It is unlawful for any person to use the following nets:\n\n 1. A pound net or a mullet gill net that is less than 200 yards long having a\n smaller mesh than two inches, stretched measure, after having been tarred;\n\n 2. A haul seine longer than 1,000 yards and if over 200 yards long having mesh\n less than three inches, stretched measure; however, the mesh of up to 400 feet\n of the net shall be no less than two and one-half inches, stretched measure,\n when the haul seine is set from the beach whereby one end of the net is\n anchored to the shore and the other end is mechanically drawn, without the aid\n of a boat or vessel, to the shore; or\n\n 3. A mullet gill net deeper than 40 meshes.\n\nB. It is unlawful to set a pound net or other fixed fishing device on an\nestablished and presently used haul seine area, except that this provision shall\nnot affect a pound net stand presently licensed.\n\nC. A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 28-46; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-51; 1992, c. 836; 2012, c.\n228.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}