Chap. 903.—An ACT to regulate dredging or scraping oyster planting grounds,
prescribing conditions under which the same may be done, and imposing a
penalty for dredging or scraping oyster planting grounds except as provided in
this act.

Approved March 6, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall
be lawful for any resident of this state holding, under proper and legal
assignment, oyster planting ground, and having paid the rent therefor,
to dredge or scrape the same at any time, except at night: provided,
such privilege of dredging or scraping such oyster grounds may be
revoked in any case by the board of fisheries whenever, in their
judgment, it may be proper or necessary to do so: and provided further,
that no person shall have or enjoy the privilege hereinbefore granted of
dredging or scraping his said oyster planting ground unless and until
he shall have first properly designated and marked the oyster lines of
his said planting ground by placing prominent and fixed buoys thereon
by means of anchors sufficient to hold them in place; said buoys not to
be less than eight inches in diameter and to extend not less than six
feet above the water; and the same shall be kept up and maintained
so as to distinctly mark said outer line or lines of said planting ground.
Said buoys shall be painted white and shall have the initials of the per-
son or firm whose property they are placed upon them near the top
in black letters of not less than five inches in length. Such initials
shall also be placed upon either side of the prow of each boat or craft,
if propelled by steam, or upon opposite sides of mainsail and jib, if
impelled by sail, of any boat which may be used or employed in dredg-
ing or scraping said planting ground: provided, however, that no per-
son or firm so engayed in dredging or scraping shall employ in whole or
im part any non resident crew, or any boat or craft of any kind owned
ir whole or in part by any non resident of this commonwealth in such
dredging or scraping such oyster planting ground: and provided further,
that if any person shall be found with a dredge or scrape overboard
while passing over the planting grounds of another person, or over the
natural rocks in waters wherein dredging or scraping is not legalized,
the same shall be a prima facie evidence of the guilt of such person.
But no dredge, scrape, or other instrument of like nature shall be taken
into James river or its tributaries, Nansemond river or its tributaries,
Rappahannock river or its tributaries, or into the ocean side of Accomac
o1 Northampton counties without first obtaining a written permission
to do so from the state board of fisheries.

2. Any person dredging or scraping oyster planting grounds in this
state, except as provided for in this act, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than
one hundred dollars nor more than three hundred dollars for each
offense.

3. All acts or parts of acts in so far as they may be in conflict with
the provisions of this act are to that extent repealed.

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