{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/28.2-520.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/28.2-520.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/28.2-520.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/28.2-520.html"}],"law_id":356668,"edition_id":2,"section_id":356668,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-520","catch_line":"Use of hydraulic dredges prohibited; exceptions; penalty","history":"1981, c. 138, \u00a7 28.1-128.01; 1992, c. 836; 2001, c. 377; 2015, c. 675.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person, unless he has been issued a permit by the Commission pursuant to subsection B, to (i) take or catch clams through the use of a hydraulic dredge or (ii) have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood.\n\nB\n\nThe Commission may issue a permit authorizing the possession and use of a (i) hydraulic dredge for the purpose of (a) transiting state waters or (b) conducting legitimate aquaculture research and (ii) handheld hydraulically operated device for harvesting cultured clams from leased grounds.\n\nC\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii) of subsection A, a person may have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood when traveling to or from docks for maintenance or repair of the boat or equipment, or when off-loading catches made in federal waters.\n\nD\n\nThe Commission and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science may possess and use hydraulic dredges to take and catch shellfish on an experimental basis.\n\nE\n\nAny person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1327796,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person, unless he has been issued a permit by the Commission pursuant to subsection B, to (i) take or catch clams through the use of a hydraulic dredge or (ii) have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1327797,"text":"The Commission may issue a permit authorizing the possession and use of a (i) hydraulic dredge for the purpose of (a) transiting state waters or (b) conducting legitimate aquaculture research and (ii) handheld hydraulically operated device for harvesting cultured clams from leased grounds.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1327798,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii) of subsection A, a person may have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood when traveling to or from docks for maintenance or repair of the boat or equipment, or when off-loading catches made in federal waters.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1327799,"text":"The Commission and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science may possess and use hydraulic dredges to take and catch shellfish on an experimental basis.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1327800,"text":"Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-520\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1981. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 138 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1981 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1992, chapter 836; in 2001, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?011+ful+CHAP0377\">377<\/a>; in 2015, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?151+ful+CHAP0675\">675<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1418303,"object_type":"law","relational_id":356668,"identifier":"28.2-520","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-520","url":"\/28.2-520\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-520\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-520","dublin_core":{"Title":"Use of hydraulic dredges prohibited; exceptions; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-520","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person, unless he has been issued a permit by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commission<\/span> pursuant to subsection B, to (i) take or catch clams through the use of a hydraulic dredge or (ii) have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood. <a id=\"paragraph-1327796\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/28.2-520\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Commission<\/span> may <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> a permit authorizing the <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> and use of a (i) hydraulic dredge for the purpose of (a) transiting state waters or (b) conducting legitimate aquaculture research and (ii) handheld hydraulically operated device for harvesting cultured clams from leased grounds. <a id=\"paragraph-1327797\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/28.2-520\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii) of subsection A, a person may have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood when traveling to or from docks for maintenance or repair of the boat or equipment, or when off-loading catches made in federal waters. <a id=\"paragraph-1327798\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/28.2-520\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Commission<\/span> and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science may possess and use hydraulic dredges to take and catch <span class=\"dictionary\">shellfish<\/span> on an experimental basis. <a id=\"paragraph-1327799\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/28.2-520\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-1327800\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/28.2-520\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nUSE OF HYDRAULIC DREDGES PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS; PENALTY (\u00a7 28.2-520)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person, unless he has been issued a permit by\nthe Commission pursuant to subsection B, to (i) take or catch clams through the\nuse of a hydraulic dredge or (ii) have on board his boat a hydraulic dredge\ndesigned for harvesting seafood.\n\nB. The Commission may issue a permit authorizing the possession and use of a (i)\nhydraulic dredge for the purpose of (a) transiting state waters or (b)\nconducting legitimate aquaculture research and (ii) handheld hydraulically\noperated device for harvesting cultured clams from leased grounds.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii) of subsection A, a person may\nhave on board his boat a hydraulic dredge designed for harvesting seafood when\ntraveling to or from docks for maintenance or repair of the boat or equipment,\nor when off-loading catches made in federal waters.\n\nD. The Commission and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science may possess and\nuse hydraulic dredges to take and catch shellfish on an experimental basis.\n\nE. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: 1981, c. 138, \u00a7 28.1-128.01; 1992, c. 836; 2001, c. 377; 2015, c. 675.","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"}}