A. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to possess or land more than eight golden tilefish in Virginia tidal waters.

B. The recreational harvest, landing, and possession limit for blueline tilefish for any person fishing from a private or rental vessel shall be three fish. The recreational harvest, landing, and possession limit for blueline tilefish for any person fishing from a for-hire vessel that has been issued a valid Federal Tilefish Charter/Party Permit but does not have a current U.S. Coast Guard certificate of inspection shall be five blueline tilefish per person per trip. The recreational harvest, landing, and possession limit for blueline tilefish for any person fishing from a for-hire vessel that has both a valid Federal Tilefish Charter/Party Permit and a current U.S. Coast Guard certificate of inspection shall be seven blueline tilefish per person per trip.

C. The recreational harvest, landing, and possession limit for grouper, as described in 4VAC20-1120-20, shall be one fish. It shall be unlawful for any person to recreationally harvest, land, or possess more than one grouper within or without Virginia tidal waters.

D. When fishing recreationally from any boat or vessel, where the entire catch is held in a common hold or container, the boat or vessel possession limit for any species described in subsection A or B of this section shall be equal to the sum of the personal possession limits, as described in subsection A or B of this section, of those persons on board legally eligible to fish. The captain or operator of the boat or vessel shall be responsible for any boat or vessel possession limits.

It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to harvest or possess any blueline tilefish from January 1 through April 30 May 14 and from November 1 16 through December 31.