                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

USE OF HYDRAULIC DREDGES PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS; PENALTY (§ 28.2-520)

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 (i)
hydraulic dredge for the purpose of (a) transiting state waters or (b)
conducting legitimate aquaculture research and (ii) handheld hydraulically
operated device for harvesting cultured clams from leased grounds.

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.

HISTORY: 1981, c. 138, § 28.1-128.01; 1992, c. 836; 2001, c. 377; 2015, c. 675.