reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 28.2-645 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 6 - Planting Grounds|§ 28.2-645. Declaring certain areas in Pocomoke Sound, Accomack County, public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals

The following area in Pocomoke Sound, Accomack County, contained within the following boundaries is declared to be public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals and unassignable to any person for private use:Beginning at a point on the low-water mark on the north end of Saxis Island, said point being due south from the low-water mark and marked by a concrete marker designated as survey point "B" on a map of Pocomoke Sound; thence from the true point of beginning at low water following in a southwesterly direction the low-water mark on the northwest side of Saxis Island to a point, said point being the northeast side of Starling Creek; thence southwesterly across the mouth of Starling Creek to a point; thence following the low-water mark in a southwesterly direction to a point on the northeast side of the mouth of Fishing Creek; thence in a generally westerly direction across the mouth of Fishing Creek to a point; thence following the low-water mark around Drum Bay to a point due north of a concrete survey marker named "Drum"; thence due north to Public Ground No. 11; thence easterly to Public Ground corner No. 13; thence southeasterly to Public Ground corner No. 14; thence easterly to Public Ground corner No. 15; thence southeasterly to Public Ground corner No. 16; thence easterly to Public Ground corner No. 17; thence northeasterly to Public Ground corner No. 18; thence northwesterly to Public Ground corner No. 19; thence northeasterly to Public Ground corner No. 1; thence in a northerly direction to Public Ground corner No. 14 of Public Ground No. 9; thence northerly to Public Ground corner No. 15; thence northeasterly to Public Ground corner No. 16; thence northeasterly toward Public Ground corner No. 17 to a point due north to the true point of beginning; thence due south to the point of beginning.However, nothing in this section shall prohibit the assignment of a portion of such area to riparian owners under Article 1 (§ 28.2-600 et seq.) of this chapter.Code 1950, § 28-204.3; 1956, c. 135; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-155; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-646 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 6 - Planting Grounds|§ 28.2-646. Declaring certain areas in Piankatank River near Stove Point, Middlesex County, public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals

The following area, in the Piankatank River around and near Stove Point, Middlesex County, is declared to be public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals and unassignable to any person for private use:Beginning at survey station "R" on extreme southern tip of Stove Point as a point of reference; thence in a southerly direction to the low-water mark on the southern tip of Stove Point; thence in a northerly direction following the low-water mark on the west side of Stove Point to a point due west of survey station "Billy"; thence in a due west course to Public Ground No. 3, Middlesex County; thence in a southerly direction to Public Ground corner No. 6 of said Public Ground; thence in a southerly direction to Public Ground corner No. 5; thence in an easterly direction to Public Ground corner No. 4; thence in a southeasterly direction to Public Ground corner No. 3; thence in a southeasterly direction to a point, said point being on Public Ground No. 5, of Mathews County; thence in a northeasterly direction, following Public Ground No. 5, Mathews County, to a point; thence in a northwesterly direction to Public Ground corner No. 14 of Public Ground No. 2, Middlesex County; thence in a north-northwesterly direction to Public Ground corner No. 13 of said Public Ground; thence in a westerly direction to corner No. 4 of J. T. Ward's 57.48-acre lease; thence in a northerly direction following the west side of said J. T. Ward's lease to corner No. 5 of the hereinabove mentioned lease; thence in a due west course to the low-water mark on the eastern side of Stove Point; thence following in a southerly direction the low-water mark of the east side of Stove Point to the point of beginning.However, nothing in this section shall affect any oyster ground assignments that are now in effect or prohibit assignment of a portion of such area to riparian owners under Article 1 (§ 28.2-600 et seq.) of this chapter.Code 1950, § 28-204.4; 1956, c. 142; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-156; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-648 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 6 - Planting Grounds|§ 28.2-648. Declaring certain ground in Mobjack Bay, in Gloucester and Mathews Counties, to be public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals

The following grounds in Mobjack Bay, Gloucester-Mathews Counties, contained within the following boundaries are declared to be public oyster rocks, beds, and shoals and unassignable to any person for private use, in the same manner and to the same extent as if the rocks, beds, and shoals had been within the original Baylor survey:Beginning at the westmost corner of W. E. Belvin's 79.25 acre oyster ground lease, designated as corner No. 2 of said lease, said point of beginning also being the northmost corner of additional Public Ground area of 1928, Gloucester County (Deep Rock); thence in a northerly direction along the west side of the said Belvin lease to corner No. 1 of said lease, corner No. 1 also being the southmost corner of John Carr's 84.85 acre oyster ground lease; thence in a northwesterly direction along the southwest side of John R. Carr's 84.85 acre oyster ground lease to corner No. 1 of said oyster ground lease; thence in a general northeasterly direction along the northwest side of John R. Carr's oyster lease to corner No. 2 of said lease, said corner also being the westmost corner of W. E. Belvin's 27.71 acre oyster ground lease; thence in a northeasterly direction along the northwest side of W. E. Belvin's oyster ground lease to corner No. 10 of said lease; thence in a southeasterly direction along the northeast side of W. E. Belvin's oyster ground lease to corner No. 6 of said lease; thence in a northeasterly direction to the southwest side of Public Ground No. 2, Mathews County; thence in a northwesterly direction along the southwest side of Public Ground No. 2, Mathews County, to a point, said point being the intersection of an additional area of Public Clamming Grounds, Gloucester County, with Public Oyster Ground No. 2, Mathews County; thence in a southwest course along additional area of Public Clamming Grounds, Gloucester County; thence in a southwesterly direction along the edge of additional area of Public Clamming Grounds in Gloucester County to a point; thence in a southeasterly direction along the additional area of Public Clamming Grounds, Gloucester County, to the point of beginning.Code 1950, § 28-204.6; 1958, c. 475; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-158; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-649 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 6 - Planting Grounds|§ 28.2-649. Acts which remain in force

The following acts of the General Assembly are continued in force:Chapter 632 of the Acts of Assembly of 1901-1902, relating to the natural oyster rocks, beds, and shoals in Nomini and Currioman Bays, in the County of Westmoreland.Chapter 294 of the Acts of Assembly of 1901-1902, declaring certain grounds in the James River, in the County of Isle of Wight, known as Day's Point Long Rock, to be a natural oyster bed, rock or shoal.Chapter 319 of the Acts of Assembly of 1901, including Surry County within the oyster territory of the Commonwealth, etc.Chapter 855 of the Acts of Assembly of 1895-1896, and Chapter 263 of the Acts of Assembly of 1897-1898, declaring certain portions of ground in York River to be natural oyster rocks.Chapter 862 of the Acts of Assembly of 1897-1898, relating to the natural oyster rocks, beds, and shoals in York River in King and Queen County.Chapter 279 of the Acts of Assembly of 1930, relating to certain natural oyster beds, rocks and shoals in Mathews County.Code 1950, § 28-205; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-159; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-650 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 6 - Planting Grounds|§ 28.2-650. Dredging clams in polluted areas for replanting in public clamming grounds

The Commissioner may dredge clams or have the clams dredged in polluted areas for the purpose of replanting them in public clamming grounds.Code 1950, § 28-179; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-161; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-700 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-700. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Crab dredge" means a device, which may have teeth on the bar, that is designed and used to catch crabs buried in the bottom."Crab pot" means a device made of wire or thread net used to catch crabs."Peeler crab", until the Commission promulgates a different definition, means a crab that has a soft shell fully developed under the hard shell, or a crab on which there is a pink or white line or rim on the edge of that part of the back fin next to the outer section of this fin."Peeler pot" means a wire mesh pot baited with only live adult male (jimmy) blue crabs.Code 1950, §§ 28-170, 28-173; 1954, c. 368; 1956, c. 293; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, §§ 28.1-165, 28.1-169; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 684; 1968, c. 785; 1970, c. 726; 1979, c. 274; 1983, cc. 307, 603, § 28.1-165.1; 1985, c. 180; 1990, c. 154; 1992, c. 836; 1995, c. 129; 1996, c. 229.
VA Code § 28.2-701 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-701. Crab traps, crab pots and crab pounds; regulations; penalty

A. The Commission shall promulgate regulations governing the use, placement, and maintenance of crab traps and crab pounds.B. The Commission may promulgate regulations establishing the mesh size of crab pots and peeler pots. The regulation may provide for the interchangeable use of the two types of pots, provided that each respective gear is appropriately marked and cull rings in conformance with Commission requirements are installed in each pot.C. Any person convicted of violating any provision of a regulation promulgated under this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.1990, c. 446, § 28.1-173.3; 1992, c. 836; 1999, c. 550.
VA Code § 28.2-702 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-702. Licenses to take crabs; shedding operations; amount of fee

Any person desiring to take or catch crabs for market or profit from the waters of this Commonwealth, or waters under its jurisdiction, or any person desiring to engage in the business of buying or marketing crabs for packing or canning crabs, shall pay to any officer the following fees or as such fees may be subsequently revised by the Commission pursuant to § 28.2-201:1. For each person taking or catching crabs by dip nets, $8;2. For ordinary trotlines, $8;3. For patent trotlines, $31;4. For up to 100 crab pots, $29;5. For over 100 but not more than 300 crab pots, $48;6. For over 300 but not more than 500 crab pots, $100;7. For over 500 crab pots, $250;8. For each boat used for taking or catching hard crabs with dredges, $58;9. For each crab trap or crab pound, $5;10. For each single-rigged crab-scrape boat, $16;11. For each double-rigged crab-scrape boat, $32;12. For up to 20 tanks and floats for shedding crabs, $7.50;13. For more than 20 tanks or floats for shedding crabs, $15; and14. For taking or catching peeler crabs using peeler pots, $29.Code 1950, § 28-170; 1954, c. 368; 1956, c. 293; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-165; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 684; 1968, c. 785; 1970, c. 726; 1979, c. 274; 1983, cc. 307, 603; 1985, c. 180; 1990, c. 154; 1992, c. 836; 1993, c. 11; 2009, c. 9.
VA Code § 28.2-703 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-703. License for certain assistants not required

During June through August, any person fifteen years of age or under may be an assistant to a boat operator catching blue crabs by crab pots without obtaining a license.Code 1950, § 28-170; 1954, c. 368; 1956, c. 293; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-165; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 684; 1968, c. 785; 1970, c. 726; 1979, c. 274; 1983, cc. 307, 603; 1985, c. 180; 1990, c. 154; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-704 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-704. Sale of crabbing licenses

The Commission may require the purchase of licenses before each crab season begins. It may set time periods for the sale of licenses for taking crabs in order to determine the appropriateness of instituting seasonal conservation measures and may grant extensions to individual applicants when it finds exceptional circumstances exist.1985, c. 165, § 28.1-172.1; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-705 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-705. License restrictions; exemption; penalty

A. It is unlawful to:1. Take crabs with a rake which is pulled or pushed by a boat;2. Use a crab pot which has a mesh less than 1 1/2 inches, unless a different mesh size is promulgated pursuant to subsection B of § 28.2-701;3. Place food, except as may be provided for in regulations of the Commission, for adult male (jimmy) crabs in a peeler pot. A peeler pot is exempt from mesh size limitations, unless a peeler pot mesh size is promulgated pursuant to subsection B of § 28.2-701;4. Use a boat when buying crabs which is also used to take or catch hard crabs with dredges, when the Commission has limited the taking of crabs under § 28.2-713.B. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.Code 1950, § 28-170; 1954, c. 368; 1956, c. 293; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-165; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 684; 1968, c. 785; 1970, c. 726; 1979, c. 274; 1983, cc. 307, 603; 1985, c. 180; 1990, c. 154; 1992, c. 836; 1995, c. 129; 1998, c. 88; 1999, c. 550.
VA Code § 28.2-706 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-706. Restrictions on crab scraping; penalty

It is unlawful for any person to:1. Use a crab scrape having a mouth longer than four feet and a toothed bar;2. Haul a scrape, except by hand; or3. Have more than two scrapes overboard.A violation of any provision of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.1983, c. 603, § 28.1-165.1; 1987, cc. 90, 159; 1992, c. 836; 2018, c. 115.
VA Code § 28.2-707 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-707. Restrictions on crab dredging; penalty

A. It is unlawful for any boat licensed to dredge crabs to use more than two dredges at any time when dredging for crabs. Such boat may use only one dredge on each side of the boat or join two dredges together for use over the stern of the boat. The size of dredges shall not exceed limits established by the Commission. The Commission is authorized to promulgate regulations limiting the size of dredges.B. It is unlawful to dislodge crabs from the bottom with a crab dredge using hydraulic methods.C. It is unlawful to use a crab dredge on Saturday.D. It is unlawful to use a dredge for catching crabs between April 1 and December 1; however, the Commission, when in its judgment it is advisable due to weather conditions or for purposes relating to the conservation of the blue crab and it is not contrary to the public interest, may close a season in its entirety, may open any season as early as November 16, may delay opening any season, may extend any season until April 16 and may close any season early.E. It is unlawful to use dredges to take crabs in any of the rivers, or their estuaries, inlets, or creeks, except on the ocean side of Accomack and Northampton Counties.Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.Code 1950, § 28-171; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-166; 1981, c. 52; 1983, c. 603, § 28.1-165.1; 1992, cc. 122, 836; 1994, c. 492; 1996, c. 433.
VA Code § 28.2-708 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-708. Limitations on sizes of crabs to be taken; inspection of catch; exemption; penalty

A. It is unlawful for any person to catch, take or have in his possession more than ten hard crabs per United States standard bushel or thirty-five hard crabs per barrel, which measure less than five inches across the shell from tip to tip of the longest spikes, or to destroy them in any manner. Those undersized crabs in excess of the allowance level shall be immediately returned to the water alive. Adult female crabs, peeler crabs and soft crabs are exempt from these limitations.B. Any officer may grade or cull any number of barrels, baskets or containers of crabs in any person's possession.If the officer finds more than ten undersize hard crabs per United States standard bushel or thirty-five per barrel, he shall seize the entire quantity of crabs in or from each such container, and the person who possessed the crabs shall immediately return them to the water. Refusal to return the crabs to the water is a separate offense from any other violation.C. The requirement in subsections A and B to return crabs to the waters shall apply to crabs taken and in possession of a crabber or catcher but shall not apply to crabs which have been purchased by and are in the possession of a buyer, nor shall it apply to crabs which have been transported at least five miles from the nearest salt water.D. The Commission may change such size restrictions for a period not to exceed sixty days to respond to significant ecological changes.E. A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.Code 1950, § 28-172; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-167; 1966, c. 684; 1970, cc. 610, 726; 1977, c. 35; 1978, c. 369; 1981, c. 52; 1985, c. 166; 1992, c. 836; 1996, cc. 136, 333.
VA Code § 28.2-709 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-709. Closed season for taking crabs in certain area; penalty

It is unlawful for any person to take or catch crabs for resale from the following area except during those periods established pursuant to regulations adopted by the Commission. Ownership of a current license to take or catch crabs shall be prima facie evidence that such taking or catching of crabs was for resale. The limits of the area are defined as follows:Beginning at the point of origin of the center line of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel facility where such facility commences in the City of Norfolk, Virginia, and following the shoreline in a general easterly direction, and also extending 200' out from the mean low-water mark of such shoreline into the Chesapeake Bay, to Ocean View Fishing Pier, and thence in a general northerly direction to Thimble Shoal Lighthouse; thence running in approximately a northeasterly direction to Cape Charles Lighthouse, located on Smiths Island; and thence in approximately a southwestern direction to Cape Henry Lighthouse, and bounded by the shoreline; and thence following the shoreline in a general westerly direction back to the point of beginning.A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.Code 1950, § 28-174; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-170; 1977, c. 262; 1978, cc. 107, 278; 1979, c. 128; 1992, c. 836; 2009, c. 170; 2011, c. 217.
VA Code § 28.2-710 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-710. Unlawful to place crab, eel, or fish pots in certain channels; penalty

It is unlawful to place or maintain any crab, eel, or fish pot in a navigable channel which has navigation aids installed or approved by any agency of the United States government or in any portion of a government marked channel of a river, bay, estuary, creek or inlet. The owner or user of any crab, eel, or fish pot who has located such pot in accordance with this section shall be relieved of civil liability for any damages resulting from the location of such pot.A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.1968, c. 785, § 28.1-173.1; 1981, c. 23; 1990, c. 493; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-711 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-711. Crab pots; unlawful activities; penalty

It is unlawful to knowingly place, set, or leave any crab pot in any of the tidal tributaries of the Commonwealth between January 1 and January 31. The Commission may change the time period during which such activities are prohibited. Proof that any crab pot was located in any such tributary during the prohibition period constitutes a rebuttable presumption that such pot was knowingly placed, set, or left in that location.A violation of this section is a Class 4 misdemeanor.1988, c. 315, § 28.1-173.1:1; 1989, c. 431; 1992, cc. 202, 836.
VA Code § 28.2-712 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-712. Identification of crab pots and eel pots; penalty

On and after January 1, 1993, any person owning or using a crab pot or eel pot, for whom a license is required by this subtitle, shall display and maintain an identification number, issued by the Commissioner, on the float or stake attached to each such crab pot or eel pot, in a legible and visible manner and in figures of not less than one inch in height. The identification of the owner of such crab pot or eel pot by the number above described shall not result in liability on its owner for its location so long as the crab pot or eel pot is placed in the waters of this Commonwealth in compliance with Virginia law.A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.1968, c. 750, § 28.1-173.2; 1992, cc. 235, 836.
VA Code § 28.2-713 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 7 - Crabs|§ 28.2-713. Limiting the taking of crabs by one boat in one day; penalty

Whenever the interest of conservation or the crabbing industry requires, the Commission may limit the taking or catching of crabs by one boat in one day. Violation of such a regulation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.Possession of crabs in excess of the amount provided by such regulation shall be prima facie evidence of violation; however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to crab buy boats.Code 1950, § 28-172.1; 1956, c. 357; 1958, c. 449; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-168; 1992, c. 836.
VA Code § 28.2-800 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 28.2 - Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters|Chapter 8 - Health and Sanitation Provisions|§ 28.2-800. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Crustacea" means all edible species of crab, lobster and shrimp, whether raw or processed."Depuration" means the process that uses a controlled aquatic environment to reduce the level of bacteria or viruses in live shellfish."Establishment" means any vehicle, vessel, property or premises where crustacea, finfish or shellfish are transported, held, stored, processed, packed, repacked, or pasteurized in preparation for marketing."Finfish" means any cold-blooded, strictly aquatic, water-breathing craniate vertebrate with fins, including cyclostomes, elasmobranchs and higher-gilled aquatic vertebrates with cartilaginous or bony skeletons or any parts thereof."Relay" means to move shellfish for the purpose of natural purification from water which is not approved to water which is approved or conditionally approved by the State Health Commissioner."Shellfish" means all species within the phylum Mollusca including but not limited to oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, conchs and whelks, whether raw or processed.1979, c. 714, § 28.1-175.1; 1992, c. 836.