April 11, 2024 — As of July 1, 2024, a new law will make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to interfere with or impede commercial fishing vessels and commercial fishing operations in Virginia waters.
This law arose from HB 928, a bill Delegate Hillary Pugh Kent introduced in this year’s General Assembly. “The Right to Fish” law, as she calls it, was inspired by incidents surrounding the Reedville menhaden fishing operations, including an incident where a jet skier reportedly approached two menhaden fishing vessels, cut the fishing net, and sprayed one of the open-air boats where the crew was working.
In addition to a potential sentence up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500, any person convicted of a first offense loses the ability to have a hunting and fishing license for a year. Additional convictions deem the person ineligible for those licenses for 3 years. And, any person convicted of this commercial fishing interference law will be required to complete boating safety education.