§ 28.2-520. Use of hydraulic dredges prohibited; exceptions; penalty
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, unless he has been issued a permit by the Commission pursuant to subsection B, to (i) take or catch clams through the use of a hydraulic dredge or (ii) have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood.
B. The Commission may issue a permit authorizing the possession and use of a hydraulic dredge for the purpose of (a) transiting state waters or (b) conducting legitimate aquaculture research.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii) of subsection A, a person may have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood when traveling to or from docks for maintenance or repair of the boat or equipment, or when off-loading catches made in federal waters.
D. The Commission and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science may possess and use hydraulic dredges to take and catch shellfish on an experimental basis.
E. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(1981, c. 138, § 28.1-128.01; 1992, c. 836; 2001, c. 377.)
Sections: Previous 28.2-513 28.2-514 28.2-515 28.2-516 28.2-517 28.2-518 28.2-519 28.2-520 28.2-521 28.2-522 28.2-523 28.2-524 28.2-525 28.2-526 28.2-527 NextLast modified: April 3, 2009