{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/28.2-508.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/28.2-508.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/28.2-508.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/28.2-508.html"}],"law_id":356656,"edition_id":2,"section_id":356656,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-508","catch_line":"Prohibited area for patent tongs; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 28-93, 28-93.1, 28-93.2; 1954, c. 38; 1958, cc. 182, 476; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-83; 1968, c. 747; 1978, c. 208; 1980, c. 325; 1981, c. 52; 1986, c. 254; 1992, c. 836.","full_text":"It is unlawful for any person to use or employ patent tongs to take or catch oysters from the public rocks, beds, or shoals in the following areas:\n\n1\n\nIn the Piankatank River and its tributaries above a line beginning at the extreme westernmost point on a wooden jetty (point “A”) on the south property line of lot 9-A owned by E. B. Bottom and lot 8-A of Gwynn’s Island Estate subdivision, Mathews County (Deed Book 55; page No. 279), said point located north 57° 07′, west 176.00 feet from the east side of said lot 8-A and 9-A. Said point is located on the extreme northwest section of Gwynn’s Island known as Cherry Point, Mathews County; thence 71° 00′ west approximately 10,140 feet, to a survey point known as the Stove R, located on the extreme south end of Stove Point, Middlesex County; thence north 38° 00′ east approximately 14,960 feet to point “X,” or the east gable of hotel, located on the extreme easternmost point of Stingray Point, Middlesex County. This area is to include all of Piankatank River and its tributaries from Cherry Point of Gwynn’s Island to Stove Point in Middlesex County, and all of the area of Jackson Creek and its tributaries from Stove Point to Stingray Point;\n\n2\n\nIn the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, above a line drawn from the southernmost point of Belle Island, which line begins at latitude 37° 46′ 37″ north, longitude 76° 35′ 40″ west; thence south 27° 47′ 25.82″ west 14,292.65 feet to the easternmost point of Punchbowl Point, which is located at latitude 37° 44′ 32″ and longitude 76° 37′ 03″ west;\n\n3\n\nBeginning on the south shore of the James River at Pig Point, located at the east mouth of Nansemond River opposite the westernmost tank of two tanks on Pig Point; thence in a northerly direction to a light at the extreme north end of abandoned Pig Point pier; thence in a northerly direction to a fish trap buoy designated as N “H11″ located on the northeast side of the Fish Trap Reservation; thence in a northwest direction along the northeast boundary of the Fish Trap Reservation along a line of buoys designated as C “1″ and C “H15″; buoy C “H15″ being located on the east side of an area set aside in subdivision 5 of this section prohibiting the use of patent tongs in James River; thence following in a southwest direction along the area described in subdivision 5 of this section to Cooper’s Creek, located on the south side of James River in Isle of Wight County. In addition to this described area, the use of patent tongs shall be prohibited in Batten Bay and its tributaries, Chuckatuck Creek and its tributaries, and Nansemond River and its tributaries;\n\n4\n\nIn the Mobjack Bay and its tributaries above a line beginning at Bush Point on the south side of the mouth of the Severn River, Gloucester County; thence in a northeasterly direction across the mouth of the Severn River to Seven Cedar Point; thence in a southeasterly direction to buoy S “1″; thence in an east southeasterly direction to a point of land on the northwest side of the mouth of Pepper Creek in Mathews County;\n\n5\n\nIn the James River and its tributaries above a line drawn from Cooper’s Creek in Isle of Wight County on the south side of James River to a line in a northeasterly direction across James River to the Newport News municipal water tank located on Warwick Boulevard between 59th Street and 60th Street in the City of Newport News;\n\n6\n\nIn the Corrotoman River above a line beginning at point on Corrotoman Point, which line begins at latitude 37° 39′ 56″ north, longitude 76° 28′ 21″ west; thence north 70° 02′ 46.79″; thence west 4,338.37 feet to a point on Millenbeck Point which is located at latitude 37° 40′ 10″ north and longitude 76° 29′ 12″ west. This line, as described, is to include all of the Corrotoman River and its tributaries from Corrotoman Point to Millenbeck Point.\n\t\t\tA violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1327765,"text":"It is unlawful for any person to use or employ patent tongs to take or catch oysters from the public rocks, beds, or shoals in the following areas:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1327766,"text":"In the Piankatank River and its tributaries above a line beginning at the extreme westernmost point on a wooden jetty (point “A”) on the south property line of lot 9-A owned by E. B. Bottom and lot 8-A of Gwynn’s Island Estate subdivision, Mathews County (Deed Book 55; page No. 279), said point located north 57° 07′, west 176.00 feet from the east side of said lot 8-A and 9-A. Said point is located on the extreme northwest section of Gwynn’s Island known as Cherry Point, Mathews County; thence 71° 00′ west approximately 10,140 feet, to a survey point known as the Stove R, located on the extreme south end of Stove Point, Middlesex County; thence north 38° 00′ east approximately 14,960 feet to point “X,” or the east gable of hotel, located on the extreme easternmost point of Stingray Point, Middlesex County. This area is to include all of Piankatank River and its tributaries from Cherry Point of Gwynn’s Island to Stove Point in Middlesex County, and all of the area of Jackson Creek and its tributaries from Stove Point to Stingray Point;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1327767,"text":"In the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, above a line drawn from the southernmost point of Belle Island, which line begins at latitude 37° 46′ 37″ north, longitude 76° 35′ 40″ west; thence south 27° 47′ 25.82″ west 14,292.65 feet to the easternmost point of Punchbowl Point, which is located at latitude 37° 44′ 32″ and longitude 76° 37′ 03″ west;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1327768,"text":"Beginning on the south shore of the James River at Pig Point, located at the east mouth of Nansemond River opposite the westernmost tank of two tanks on Pig Point; thence in a northerly direction to a light at the extreme north end of abandoned Pig Point pier; thence in a northerly direction to a fish trap buoy designated as N “H11″ located on the northeast side of the Fish Trap Reservation; thence in a northwest direction along the northeast boundary of the Fish Trap Reservation along a line of buoys designated as C “1″ and C “H15″; buoy C “H15″ being located on the east side of an area set aside in subdivision 5 of this section prohibiting the use of patent tongs in James River; thence following in a southwest direction along the area described in subdivision 5 of this section to Cooper’s Creek, located on the south side of James River in Isle of Wight County. In addition to this described area, the use of patent tongs shall be prohibited in Batten Bay and its tributaries, Chuckatuck Creek and its tributaries, and Nansemond River and its tributaries;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1327769,"text":"In the Mobjack Bay and its tributaries above a line beginning at Bush Point on the south side of the mouth of the Severn River, Gloucester County; thence in a northeasterly direction across the mouth of the Severn River to Seven Cedar Point; thence in a southeasterly direction to buoy S “1″; thence in an east southeasterly direction to a point of land on the northwest side of the mouth of Pepper Creek in Mathews County;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1327770,"text":"In the James River and its tributaries above a line drawn from Cooper’s Creek in Isle of Wight County on the south side of James River to a line in a northeasterly direction across James River to the Newport News municipal water tank located on Warwick Boulevard between 59th Street and 60th Street in the City of Newport News;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1327771,"text":"In the Corrotoman River above a line beginning at point on Corrotoman Point, which line begins at latitude 37° 39′ 56″ north, longitude 76° 28′ 21″ west; thence north 70° 02′ 46.79″; thence west 4,338.37 feet to a point on Millenbeck Point which is located at latitude 37° 40′ 10″ north and longitude 76° 29′ 12″ west. This line, as described, is to include all of the Corrotoman River and its tributaries from Corrotoman Point to Millenbeck Point.\n\t\t\tA violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":51050,"edition_id":2,"name":"Fishing for Oysters and Clams; Device Restrictions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":51048,"metadata":{"child_laws":32,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:28","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:44","permalink":{"id":1418245,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51050,"identifier":"2","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2","url":"\/28.2\/II\/5\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Oysters and Clams","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50998,"metadata":{"child_laws":62,"child_structures":4},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:27","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:44","permalink":{"id":1418217,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51048,"identifier":"5","token":"28.2\/II\/5","url":"\/28.2\/II\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50998,"edition_id":2,"name":"Tidal Fisheries","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50994,"metadata":{"child_laws":289,"child_structures":42},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:42","permalink":{"id":1417675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50998,"identifier":"II","token":"28.2\/II","url":"\/28.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50994,"edition_id":2,"name":"Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters","identifier":"28.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":70,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":386,"child_structures":71},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:41","permalink":{"id":1417591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50994,"identifier":"28.2","token":"28.2","url":"\/28.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":356654,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-506","catch_line":"Season for taking oysters from public rocks; penalty","url":"\/28.2-506\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":356655,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-507","catch_line":"Opening and closing public rocks","url":"\/28.2-507\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":356656,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-508","catch_line":"Prohibited area for patent tongs; penalty","url":"\/28.2-508\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":356657,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-509","catch_line":"Maximum weight for patent tongs; teeth length; penalty","url":"\/28.2-509\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":356658,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-510","catch_line":"Buying, selling, or possessing unculled oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-510\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":356659,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-511","catch_line":"Culling oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-511\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":356660,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-512","catch_line":"Interfering with oyster inspections; penalty","url":"\/28.2-512\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":356661,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-513","catch_line":"Prima facie evidence of culling violation; defense","url":"\/28.2-513\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":356662,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-514","catch_line":"Possession of shucked oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-514\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":356663,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-515","catch_line":"Dredging or scraping on private ground; permit required","url":"\/28.2-515\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":356664,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-516","catch_line":"Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat; penalty","url":"\/28.2-516\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":356665,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-517","catch_line":"Marking ground","url":"\/28.2-517\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":356666,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-518","catch_line":"Dredging for oysters in James River; penalty","url":"\/28.2-518\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":356667,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-519","catch_line":"Use of rakes or scrapes on ocean side of Eastern Shore; penalty","url":"\/28.2-519\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":356668,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-520","catch_line":"Use of hydraulic dredges prohibited; exceptions; penalty","url":"\/28.2-520\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":356669,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-521","catch_line":"Revocation of license or permit to dredge","url":"\/28.2-521\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":356670,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-522","catch_line":"Prima facie evidence of violation","url":"\/28.2-522\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":356671,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-523","catch_line":"Penalty","url":"\/28.2-523\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":356672,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-524","catch_line":"Taking oysters or clams in certain areas; limitations","url":"\/28.2-524\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":356673,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-525","catch_line":"Fishing in Chesapeake Bay immediately west of Tangier Island","url":"\/28.2-525\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":356674,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-526","catch_line":"Oyster measures; standards; penalty","url":"\/28.2-526\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":356675,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-527","catch_line":"Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc.; penalty","url":"\/28.2-527\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-527","metadata":false},{"id":356676,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-528","catch_line":"Revocation of licenses for theft of oysters","url":"\/28.2-528\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-528","metadata":false},{"id":356677,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-529","catch_line":"Converting shells into lime; penalty","url":"\/28.2-529\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-529","metadata":false},{"id":356678,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-530","catch_line":"Taking oysters or loading on vessel on Sunday or at night; penalty","url":"\/28.2-530\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-530","metadata":false},{"id":356679,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-531","catch_line":"Taking clams on Sunday or at night; exception; penalty","url":"\/28.2-531\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-531","metadata":false},{"id":356680,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-532","catch_line":"Protection of oysters and clams of Virginia; labeling; penalty","url":"\/28.2-532\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-532","metadata":false},{"id":356681,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-533","catch_line":"Oysters on crab dredging boat; penalty","url":"\/28.2-533\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-533","metadata":false},{"id":356682,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-534","catch_line":"Possession of oysters while taking clams; penalty","url":"\/28.2-534\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-534","metadata":false},{"id":356683,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-535","catch_line":"Permit to buy or carry seed oysters from certain grounds; penalty","url":"\/28.2-535\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-535","metadata":false},{"id":356684,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-536","catch_line":"Taking clams in certain areas; penalty","url":"\/28.2-536\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-536","metadata":false},{"id":356685,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-537","catch_line":"Restriction on size of clams; penalty","url":"\/28.2-537\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-537","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":356655,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-507","catch_line":"Opening and closing public rocks","url":"\/28.2-507\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-507","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":356657,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-509","catch_line":"Maximum weight for patent tongs; teeth length; penalty","url":"\/28.2-509\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-509","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-508\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1954, chapter 38; in 1958, chapters 182 and 476; in 1960, chapter 517; in 1962, chapter 406; in 1968, chapter 747; in 1978, chapter 208; in 1980, chapter 325; in 1981, chapter 52; in 1986, chapter 254; in 1992, chapter 836.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1418255,"object_type":"law","relational_id":356656,"identifier":"28.2-508","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-508","url":"\/28.2-508\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-508\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-508","dublin_core":{"Title":"Prohibited area for patent tongs; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-508","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It is unlawful for any person to use or employ patent tongs to take or catch oysters from the public rocks, beds, or shoals<\/span> in the following areas:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In the Piankatank River and its tributaries above a line beginning at the extreme westernmost point on a wooden jetty (point “A”) on the south property line of lot 9-A owned by E. B. Bottom and lot 8-A of Gwynn’s Island Estate subdivision, Mathews County (Deed Book 55; page No. 279), said point located north 57° 07′, west 176.00 feet from the east side of said lot 8-A and 9-A. Said point is located on the extreme northwest section of Gwynn’s Island known as Cherry Point, Mathews County; thence 71° 00′ west approximately 10,140 feet, to a survey point known as the Stove R, located on the extreme south end of Stove Point, Middlesex County; thence north 38° 00′ east approximately 14,960 feet to point “X,” or the east gable of hotel, located on the extreme easternmost point of Stingray Point, Middlesex County. This area is to include all of Piankatank River and its tributaries from Cherry Point of Gwynn’s Island to Stove Point in Middlesex County, and all of the area of Jackson Creek and its tributaries from Stove Point to Stingray Point; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, above a line drawn from the southernmost point of Belle Island, which line begins at latitude 37° 46′ 37″ north, longitude 76° 35′ 40″ west; thence south 27° 47′ 25.82″ west 14,292.65 feet to the easternmost point of Punchbowl Point, which is located at latitude 37° 44′ 32″ and longitude 76° 37′ 03″ west; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Beginning on the south shore of the James River at Pig Point, located at the east mouth of Nansemond River opposite the westernmost tank of two tanks on Pig Point; thence in a northerly direction to a light at the extreme north end of abandoned Pig Point pier; thence in a northerly direction to a fish<\/span> trap buoy designated as N “H11″ located on the northeast side of the Fish<\/span> Trap Reservation; thence in a northwest direction along the northeast boundary of the Fish<\/span> Trap Reservation along a line of buoys designated as C “1″ and C “H15″; buoy C “H15″ being located on the east side of an area set aside in subdivision 5 of this section prohibiting the use of patent tongs in James River; thence following in a southwest direction along the area described in subdivision 5 of this section to Cooper’s Creek, located on the south side of James River in Isle of Wight County. In addition to this described area, the use of patent tongs shall be prohibited in Batten Bay and its tributaries, Chuckatuck Creek and its tributaries, and Nansemond River and its tributaries; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> In the Mobjack Bay and its tributaries above a line beginning at Bush Point on the south side of the mouth of the Severn River, Gloucester County; thence in a northeasterly direction across the mouth of the Severn River to Seven Cedar Point; thence in a southeasterly direction to buoy S “1″; thence in an east southeasterly direction to a point of land on the northwest side of the mouth of Pepper Creek in Mathews County; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> In the James River and its tributaries above a line drawn from Cooper’s Creek in Isle of Wight County on the south side of James River to a line in a northeasterly direction across James River to the Newport News municipal water tank located on Warwick Boulevard between 59th Street and 60th Street in the City of Newport News; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> In the Corrotoman River above a line beginning at point on Corrotoman Point, which line begins at latitude 37° 39′ 56″ north, longitude 76° 28′ 21″ west; thence north 70° 02′ 46.79″; thence west 4,338.37 feet to a point on Millenbeck Point which is located at latitude 37° 40′ 10″ north and longitude 76° 29′ 12″ west. This line, as described, is to include all of the Corrotoman River and its tributaries from Corrotoman Point to Millenbeck Point.\n\t\t\tA violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROHIBITED AREA FOR PATENT TONGS; PENALTY (\u00a7 28.2-508)\n\nIt is unlawful for any person to use or employ patent tongs to take or catch\noysters from the public rocks, beds, or shoals in the following areas:\n\n1. In the Piankatank River and its tributaries above a line beginning at the\nextreme westernmost point on a wooden jetty (point “A”) on the south\nproperty line of lot 9-A owned by E. B. Bottom and lot 8-A of Gwynn’s\nIsland Estate subdivision, Mathews County (Deed Book 55; page No. 279), said\npoint located north 57° 07′, west 176.00 feet from the east side of\nsaid lot 8-A and 9-A. Said point is located on the extreme northwest section of\nGwynn’s Island known as Cherry Point, Mathews County; thence 71°\n00′ west approximately 10,140 feet, to a survey point known as the Stove\nR, located on the extreme south end of Stove Point, Middlesex County; thence\nnorth 38° 00′ east approximately 14,960 feet to point\n“X,” or the east gable of hotel, located on the extreme easternmost\npoint of Stingray Point, Middlesex County. This area is to include all of\nPiankatank River and its tributaries from Cherry Point of Gwynn’s Island\nto Stove Point in Middlesex County, and all of the area of Jackson Creek and its\ntributaries from Stove Point to Stingray Point;\n\n2. In the Rappahannock River and its tributaries, above a line drawn from the\nsouthernmost point of Belle Island, which line begins at latitude 37°\n46′ 37″ north, longitude 76° 35′ 40″ west; thence\nsouth 27° 47′ 25.82″ west 14,292.65 feet to the easternmost\npoint of Punchbowl Point, which is located at latitude 37° 44′\n32″ and longitude 76° 37′ 03″ west;\n\n3. Beginning on the south shore of the James River at Pig Point, located at the\neast mouth of Nansemond River opposite the westernmost tank of two tanks on Pig\nPoint; thence in a northerly direction to a light at the extreme north end of\nabandoned Pig Point pier; thence in a northerly direction to a fish trap buoy\ndesignated as N “H11″ located on the northeast side of the Fish Trap\nReservation; thence in a northwest direction along the northeast boundary of the\nFish Trap Reservation along a line of buoys designated as C “1″ and\nC “H15″; buoy C “H15″ being located on the east side of\nan area set aside in subdivision 5 of this section prohibiting the use of patent\ntongs in James River; thence following in a southwest direction along the area\ndescribed in subdivision 5 of this section to Cooper’s Creek, located on\nthe south side of James River in Isle of Wight County. In addition to this\ndescribed area, the use of patent tongs shall be prohibited in Batten Bay and\nits tributaries, Chuckatuck Creek and its tributaries, and Nansemond River and\nits tributaries;\n\n4. In the Mobjack Bay and its tributaries above a line beginning at Bush Point\non the south side of the mouth of the Severn River, Gloucester County; thence in\na northeasterly direction across the mouth of the Severn River to Seven Cedar\nPoint; thence in a southeasterly direction to buoy S “1″; thence in\nan east southeasterly direction to a point of land on the northwest side of the\nmouth of Pepper Creek in Mathews County;\n\n5. In the James River and its tributaries above a line drawn from Cooper’s\nCreek in Isle of Wight County on the south side of James River to a line in a\nnortheasterly direction across James River to the Newport News municipal water\ntank located on Warwick Boulevard between 59th Street and 60th Street in the\nCity of Newport News;\n\n6. In the Corrotoman River above a line beginning at point on Corrotoman Point,\nwhich line begins at latitude 37° 39′ 56″ north, longitude\n76° 28′ 21″ west; thence north 70° 02′ 46.79″;\nthence west 4,338.37 feet to a point on Millenbeck Point which is located at\nlatitude 37° 40′ 10″ north and longitude 76° 29′\n12″ west. This line, as described, is to include all of the Corrotoman\nRiver and its tributaries from Corrotoman Point to Millenbeck Point.\n\t\t\tA violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 28-93, 28-93.1, 28-93.2; 1954, c. 38; 1958, cc. 182,\n476; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-83; 1968, c. 747; 1978, c. 208; 1980,\nc. 325; 1981, c. 52; 1986, c. 254; 1992, c. 836.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}