Chap. 248.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 3242 of the Code of Vir-
einia, relating to license tax and fee on oyster tongs. [S B 123]

Approved March 24, 1930

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
thirty-two hundred and forty-two of the Code of Virginia be amended
and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

Section 3242. Any resident of this State, who shall be duly quali-
fied and desires to take or catch oysters or clams from the natural oys-
ter beds, rocks, shoals or any other waters of the Commonwealth by
hand or with ordinary or patent tongs, or any instrument allowed by
law, other than a scrape or dredge, shall first apply in writing to the
inspector of the district in which he resides for a license. The license
taxes shall be as follows:
First. For each pair of patent tongs, ten dollars:

Second. For each person taking oysters or clams by hand, or with
ordinary tongs, four dollars; provided, however, that a license issued
for patent tongs shall entitle the holder, without the payment of an
additional license tax, to use ordinary tongs while not using patent
tongs. When such person shall have paid to the inspector the fees
required of him, said inspector shall register such person, and shall
issue to him a license which shall entitle him during the season for
which such shall be issued to take or catch oysters or clams from the
natural oyster rocks, beds, shoals or any other waters of the Common-
wealth of Virginia, or within the jurisdiction thereof, for the period
during which he is not prohibited by law from working on any such
natural rocks, beds or shoals. Any oysterman, when required to do
so by an inspector or other police officer must show a license for every
pair of oyster tongs in his possession while working on the natural
rocks, beds, or shoals, or any other waters of the Commonwealth, and
the having of more pairs of oyster tongs than licenses exhibited, as
aforesaid, shall be prima facie evidence of violating the provisions of
this section as to obtaining licenses. If any person is found oystering
or clamming upon the natural rocks, beds, shoals or other waters of the
Commonwealth without having been so licensed, or after having his
license revoked, or if he violates any provision of this section, such
person shall be fined not less than twenty nor more than two hundred
dollars.

For issuing such license in each case herein specified, there shall be
a fee of fifty cents paid by the licensee, in addition to the said license
tax, and which fee shall be turned over to the commissioner, and
covered into the public treasury, to be appropriated, as provided by
law, for the benefit of the seafood industry.

That fifty per cent (50%) of the income in the revenue derived
under this act shall be segregated for the replenishment of the public
oysters, rocks, beds and shoals of the Commonwealth.

ee