Chap. 243.—An ACT to provide for setting apart and designating crabbing
grounds in the waters of the commonwealth.

Approved February 8, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That any grounds
t natural rocks, beds, or shoals, and not previously assigned as oyster
inting-grounds, may ‘be, on the application of fifty or more citizens
dat the discretion of the state board of fisheries, laid off and designated
crabbing grounds, and if so laid off, the inspector shall designate
curately the metes and bounds of said grounds by proper and suitable
ikes if practicable, or by distances and courses if need be, and said
ounds shall be set apart as crabbing grounds, and shall not be assigned
any one.

. The ground when so set apart shall be used only by residents of
irginia, and any other person or persons other than residents of this
ite taking or catching crabs thereon shall be deemed guilty of a felony,
d upon conviction thereof shall be confined in the penitentiary one
ar, or, in the discretion of the jury, may be confined in jail not ex-
eding twelve months or fined not exceeding one hundred dollars.

3. A suitable and reasonable fee, the amount of which shall be fixed
the board of fisheries in each case shall be paid to the inspector for so
ring off and designating such grounds; the said fee to be paid out of
e crabbing funds of the state.

4. This act shall be in force from its passage.