Chap. 451.—An ACT to amend and re-enact an act entitled an act to prohibit
the use of troll (or trawl) nets in the waters of the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia, and providing a penalty for same, approved March 24, 1926. [HB 243]

Approved March 26, 1928

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall
be 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
trolling [or trawling] and having a troll net or 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 the 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 for the first
offense not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand
dollars, or imprisoned in jail not less than one month nor more than
twelve months, either or both, in the discretion of the court or jury
trying the case, and for any second or subsequent conviction shall be
fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand
dollars, or imprisoned in jail not less than six months nor more than
twelve months, either or both, in the discretion of the court or jury
trving the case.

2. Provided that nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit
fish 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. All acts or parts of acts in conflict herewith are repealed.