{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/28.2-708.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/28.2-708.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/28.2-708.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/28.2-708.html"}],"law_id":356772,"edition_id":2,"section_id":356772,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-708","catch_line":"Limitations on sizes of crabs to be taken; inspection of catch; exemption; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 28-172; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 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.","full_text":"A\n\nIt 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.\n\nB\n\nAny officer may grade or cull any number of barrels, baskets or containers of crabs in any person’s possession.\n\t\t\tIf 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.\n\nC\n\nThe 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.\n\nD\n\nThe Commission may change such size restrictions for a period not to exceed sixty days to respond to significant ecological changes.\n\nE\n\nA violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1328033,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1328034,"text":"Any officer may grade or cull any number of barrels, baskets or containers of crabs in any person’s possession.\n\t\t\tIf 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1328035,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1328036,"text":"The Commission may change such size restrictions for a period not to exceed sixty days to respond to significant ecological changes.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1328037,"text":"A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51061,"edition_id":2,"name":"Restrictions on Harvesting Crabs","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":3,"parent_id":51058,"metadata":{"child_laws":9,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:40","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:46","permalink":{"id":1418727,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51061,"identifier":"3","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3","url":"\/28.2\/II\/7\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51058,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crabs","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":6,"parent_id":50998,"metadata":{"child_laws":14,"child_structures":3},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:40","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:45","permalink":{"id":1418701,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51058,"identifier":"7","token":"28.2\/II\/7","url":"\/28.2\/II\/7\/","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":356769,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-705","catch_line":"License restrictions; exemption; penalty","url":"\/28.2-705\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-705","metadata":false},{"id":356770,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-706","catch_line":"Restrictions on crab scraping; penalty","url":"\/28.2-706\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-706","metadata":false},{"id":356771,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-707","catch_line":"Restrictions on crab dredging; penalty","url":"\/28.2-707\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-707","metadata":false},{"id":356772,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-708","catch_line":"Limitations on sizes of crabs to be taken; inspection of catch; exemption; penalty","url":"\/28.2-708\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-708","metadata":false},{"id":356773,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-709","catch_line":"Closed season for taking crabs in certain area; penalty","url":"\/28.2-709\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-709","metadata":false},{"id":356774,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-710","catch_line":"Unlawful to place crab, eel, or fish pots in certain channels; penalty","url":"\/28.2-710\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-710","metadata":false},{"id":356775,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-711","catch_line":"Crab pots; unlawful activities; penalty","url":"\/28.2-711\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-711","metadata":false},{"id":356776,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-712","catch_line":"Identification of crab pots and eel pots; penalty","url":"\/28.2-712\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-712","metadata":false},{"id":356777,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-713","catch_line":"Limiting the taking of crabs by one boat in one day; penalty","url":"\/28.2-713\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-713","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":356771,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-707","catch_line":"Restrictions on crab dredging; penalty","url":"\/28.2-707\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-707","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":356773,"structure_id":51061,"section_number":"28.2-709","catch_line":"Closed season for taking crabs in certain area; penalty","url":"\/28.2-709\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-709","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-708\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 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 1960, chapter 517; in 1962, chapter 406; in 1966, chapter 684; in 1970, chapters 610 and 726; in 1977, chapter 35; in 1978, chapter 369; in 1981, chapter 52; in 1985, chapter 166; in 1992, chapter 836; in 1996, chapters 136<\/a> and 333<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1418741,"object_type":"law","relational_id":356772,"identifier":"28.2-708","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-708","url":"\/28.2-708\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-708\/","token":"28.2\/II\/7\/3\/28.2-708","dublin_core":{"Title":"Limitations on sizes of crabs to be taken; inspection of catch; exemption; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-708","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person to catch, take or have in his possession<\/span> 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<\/span> and soft crabs are exempt from these limitations. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any officer<\/span> may grade or cull any number of barrels, baskets or containers of crabs in any person’s possession<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIf the officer<\/span> 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<\/span> from any other violation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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

D.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> may change such size restrictions for a period not to exceed sixty days to respond to significant ecological changes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIMITATIONS ON SIZES OF CRABS TO BE TAKEN; INSPECTION OF CATCH; EXEMPTION;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 28.2-708)\n\nA. It is unlawful for any person to catch, take or have in his possession more\nthan ten hard crabs per United States standard bushel or thirty-five hard crabs\nper barrel, which measure less than five inches across the shell from tip to tip\nof the longest spikes, or to destroy them in any manner. Those undersized crabs\nin excess of the allowance level shall be immediately returned to the water\nalive. Adult female crabs, peeler crabs and soft crabs are exempt from these\nlimitations.\n\nB. Any officer may grade or cull any number of barrels, baskets or containers of\ncrabs in any person’s possession.\n\t\t\tIf the officer finds more than ten undersize hard crabs per United States\nstandard bushel or thirty-five per barrel, he shall seize the entire quantity of\ncrabs in or from each such container, and the person who possessed the crabs\nshall immediately return them to the water. Refusal to return the crabs to the\nwater is a separate offense from any other violation.\n\nC. The requirement in subsections A and B to return crabs to the waters shall\napply to crabs taken and in possession of a crabber or catcher but shall not\napply to crabs which have been purchased by and are in the possession of a\nbuyer, nor shall it apply to crabs which have been transported at least five\nmiles from the nearest salt water.\n\nD. The Commission may change such size restrictions for a period not to exceed\nsixty days to respond to significant ecological changes.\n\nE. A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 28-172; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-167; 1966, c.\n684; 1970, cc. 610, 726; 1977, c. 35; 1978, c. 369; 1981, c. 52; 1985, c. 166;\n1992, c. 836; 1996, cc. 136, 333.","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"}}