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2005 SESSION


CHAPTER 916
An Act to amend and reenact § 29.1-574 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-313.2, relating to nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species; penalty.
[H 2029]
Approved April 6, 2005
 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 29.1-574 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-313.2 as follows:

§ 18.2-313.2. Introduction of snakehead fish or zebra mussel; penalty.

Any person who knowingly introduces into the Commonwealth any snakehead fish of the family Channidae, or knowingly places or causes to be placed into state waters any zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) or the larvae thereof, without a permit from the Director of Game and Inland Fisheries issued pursuant to § 29.1-575 is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

§ 29.1-574. Prohibitions.

A. No person shall knowingly import, possess, transport, sell, purchase, give, receive, or introduce into the Commonwealth any member of a species designated as a nonindigenous aquatic nuisance species without a permit from the Director issued pursuant to § 29.1-575.

B. Subsection A shall not apply to any person who (i) lawfully catches a snakehead fish of the family Channidae, (ii) subsequently kills such fish, and (iii) notifies the Department, as soon as practicable, of his actions.