CHAPTER 673

An Act to amend and reenact § 28-240 of the Code of Virginia, relating
to the use of gill nets in the waters of the Potomac River. rH 695]

Approved April 4, 1952

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
te That § 28-240 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted as

ollows:

§ 28-240. The use of any sunken anchored gill nets is absolutely
prohibited in the waters of the Potomac River at all times; and the use
of all gill nets, known as floating or drift nets, * other than stake gill nets,
is prohibited at all times of the year except during the shad and herring
season. The use of all stake gill nets is prohibited at all times of the year
except during the months of February through May in each year. Any
person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall
on conviction therefor before the trial justice of any county of this State,
most accessible, forfeit such net or nets, or device, together with all boats,
vessels and tackle used in the violation of this section and be fined a sum
of not less than three hundred dollars and not more than one thousand
dollars, or be subject to both such fine and forfeiture, in the discretion of
the trial justice trying the case.

Nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to impair,
alter or abridge any rights which either state, or the citizens thereof, may
be entitled to, either by, through, under or against the compact entered
into between the States of Virginia and Maryland on March twenty-eighth,
seventeen hundred and eighty-five.

The provisions of this section shall not take effect until a similar act
becomes effective in the State of Maryland, whereupon the Governor of
Virginia shall issue a proclamation declaring the provisions of this section
to be effective.