Chap. 466.—An ACT to prohibit the use of troll (or trawl) nets in the waters
of the Commonwealth of Virginia and providing a penalty for same.

{H B 129]
Approved March 24, 1926.

1. Beit enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall
pe unlawful for any person or persons, firm or corporation, to take or
catch fish with a troll (or trawl) net, or similar device, drawn through
the water by a vessel, boat or other craft, in any waters of the Com-
monwealth or waters in the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth except
a regular licensed haul seine, authorized by law, or to buy, sell or offer
for sale any fish taken or caught in the waters of the Commonwealth
with a troll (or trawl) net or other similar device except those fish
caught by a regular licensed haul seine. (Any vessel, boat or craft
found in the waters of the Commonwealth equipped for trolling (or
trawling) and having a troll net or a similar device aboard, with fresh
live fish on deck or in the hold thereof, or in any other portion of said
vessel, boat or craft, shall be prima facie evidence of guilt and shall be
considered as if said fish were taken or caught with a troll (or trawl)
net in the waters of the Commonwealth). Any person violating the
provisions of this act shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars
nor exceeding two thousand dollars. Any vessel, boat or other craft,
her tackle, apparel, anchors, cables, sails, rigging, and appurtenances,
and any troll net or similar device used in violating any of the pro-
visions of this act, shall, together with the cargo of such vessel, boat
or craft, be forfeited to the Commonwealth, and upon being con-
demned as forfeiture in proceedings under chapter one hundred and
thirty-one, one-half of the net amount realized from the condemnation
shall be paid over by order of the court to the treasurer of the county
in which the proceedings are had, who shall forthwith pay the same
less two per centum commission, into the treasury of the State to the
credit of the oyster fund, and the other half, by like order, shall be
equitably divided amongst the captors. The clerk of the court, in
which such order is made, shall transmit a certified copy thereof, as
soon as it is made, to the auditor of public accounts, and to the office
of the commission of fisheries.

2. Provided that nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit
tish caught by means of troll (or trawl) outside of the territorial limits
of Virginia, or the troll (or trawl) net used incident thereto, from being
brought into Virginia ports to be placed upon the market.

3. An emergency existing, this act shall be in force from its
passage.