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2001 SESSION

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VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- CHAPTER An Act to amend and reenact § 28.2-520 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the use of hydraulic dredges; penalty. [H 2417] Approved

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 28.2-520 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 28.2-520. Use of hydraulic dredges prohibited; 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 hard-shell 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 hard-shell clams shellfish on an experimental basis. However, a permit to take and catch hard-shell clams through the use of hydraulic dredges shall not be issued to any other person.

B. E. Any person who takes or catches hard-shell clams using a hydraulic dredge violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.