Acts and Joint Resolutions Passed by the General Assembly of Virginia During the Session of 1887-1888
Approved February 23, 1888.
1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That sections thirteenth and fifteenth of an act entitled an act to amend and re-enact section thirteenth of an act entitled an act for the preservation of oysters, and to obtain a revenue for the privilege of taking them from the waters of this Commonwealth, approved November twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-four, and to amend and re-enact section seventeenth and repeal sections thirty-nine and forty of an art entitled an act for the preservation of oysters, and to obtain revenue for the privilege of taking them within the waters of this commonwealth, approved March fourth, eighteen hundred and eighty-four, and to provide for the payment of costs and expenses incurred in the execution of the oyster laws of this commonwealth, approved April twenty-eighth, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:
For the preservation of oysters
Revenue
§ 13. Hereafter it shall not be lawful for any person to take or catch oysters in the waters of this commonwealth with tongs, or in any other way, from the fifteenth day of May to the first day of September: provided however, that nothing in this or preceding arts, shall be so construed as to prevent theowners of planted oysters from working on or changing location of said planted oysters, or shipping the same to market at the option of the owner thereof, but no dredging to be permitted on their private oyster-ground, nor by the owner of said planted oysters; nor shall it be lawful for any person at any time to catch or take oysters on Sunday in any manner, or from one hour after sunset of any day to one hour before sunrise of the succeeding day. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section, shall forfeit and pay for each offense not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars: provided, that nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the right to take or catch oysters with tongs in the Chesapeake bay and in Mobjack bay, at any time: and provided further, that nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the right to take or catch oysters with tongs at any time in the bays or inlets of the Potomac river at any time for planting purposes. Time in which oysters shall not be taken with tongs
Not lawful to catch oysters on Sunday
§15. It shall not be lawful at any time for any person to buy or sell oysters in the shell by ans other than stave measure, which shall be uniform in shape and of the following dimensions: The bottom to be sixteen and a half inches across from inside to inside, the top to be eighteen inches from inside to inside, and twenty-one inches diagonally from inside chime to the top; half tubs to be twelve and a half inches from inside to inside at bottom, thirteen and three quarter inches from inside to inside at top, and sixteen and a half inches diagonally from inside chime to top. These measures must have on them three iron hoops--the top hoop to be riveted to the staves with four iron rivets, and the staves, and heading shall be straight on the inside. All stave measures must be sealed by some legally appointed inspector of this state before they are used. In the measurement of the oysters in the shell, the tubs must be filled with a slight rise above the top. The captains of the steamer and vessels used as the oyster police force, shall have the authority to see that the provisions of this act be enforced. To buy and sell by stave measure
Size of tubs
Dimensions of half tubs
2. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act, be and the same are hereby repealed.
3. This act shall be in force from the first day of June, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight. Commencem't