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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 4. Conservation And Natural Resources
Agency 20. Marine Resources Commission
Chapter 70. Pertaining to the Harvesting of Clams
11/21/2024

4VAC20-70-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Bull rake" means a device designed for use by hand for the purpose of harvesting clams, and which has the following characteristics: rake mouth width shall not exceed 30 inches, the teeth on the bar shall not be longer than 4-1/2 inches, the holding basket shall not hold greater than 3/4 of a bushel of clams and bottom material, and the handle shall not be longer than 30 feet. A bull rake may be equipped with skids to adjust the teeth for depth of penetration into the bottom.

"Commission" means the Marine Resources Commission.

"Conventional dredge" means the type of dredge that has become customarily used in Virginia to dredge oysters and crabs. It excludes any type of dredge where the dredging action functions or is aided by hydraulic action.

"Conventional hard clam rake" means a device designed for use by hand for the purpose of harvesting clams, and which has the following characteristics: rake mouth width shall not exceed 16 inches, the teeth on the bar shall not be longer than seven inches, the attached holding basket shall not hold greater than 1/10 of a bushel of clams and bottom material, and the handle shall not be longer than 10 feet.

"Cultured clams" means hard shell clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) that have been spawned in a hatchery, planted on leased ground, and covered with netting or other means protected from predators until harvest.

"Public ground" means the grounds defined by §§ 28.2-551 and 28.2-639 through 28.2-649 of the Code of Virginia, and any areas set aside as public ground by court order.

"Leased ground" means any grounds leased by the Marine Resources Commission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6 (§ 28.2-600 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Officer" means a law-enforcement officer of the Marine Resources Commission.

"Unassigned ground" means any ground outside the public ground as defined by this chapter and which has not been set aside, or assigned by lease, permit or easement by the Marine Resources Commission.

"Water rake" means a device for use by hand for the harvesting of cultured clams on leased grounds. The mouth of the water rake shall not exceed 36 inches in width, and the water rake shall be attached by a hose to a single pump engine of no greater than 7.5 horsepower and shall only be pulled by a single person, with no mechanical assistance.

Statutory Authority

§ 28.2-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR450-01-0010 § 1.2, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 19, eff. May 2, 1995; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 23, eff. July 1, 2015.

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