28.2-503 - License for taking clams with tongs. - Virginia Statutes

§ 28.2-503. License for taking clams with tongs.

The license for taking clams, by ordinary or patent tongs, shall entitle theholder to take only clams from the public bottoms in the waters of theCommonwealth but not from the public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals or fromleased oyster grounds. Such a license does not permit the taking of oysters.The Commission may authorize the taking of clams from the public oysterrocks, beds, and shoals of (i) the lower York River below the patent tongline and (ii) that area in the Poquoson River contained within Public GroundTract No. 1 and Public Ground Tract No. 9, west of a line connecting YorkPoint and Hunt's Point and northeast of a line connecting Hunt's Point andsurvey Station "Spit" when it determines that commercial quantities ofoysters are not present and are not likely to return due to the presence ofoyster diseases. However, the Commission shall annually review the conditionsin the area designated under clause (ii) to determine whether to authorizethe taking of clams.

(Code 1950, § 28-137; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-120; 1964, c. 393;1966, c. 684; 1970, c. 726; 1979, c. 274; 1991, c. 285; 1992, cc. 246, 836;1993, c. 238.)