Virginia Code 28.2-541: Oyster resource user fees.
A. There are imposed upon all oysters taken from the public rocks, beds, or shoals the following oyster resource user fees, per year: (i) on any licensed commercial fisherman harvesting oysters by hand, a fee of $50; (ii) on the use of any type of gear to harvest oysters, a fee of $300; (iii) on any business shucking or packing (a) no more than 1,000 gallons of oysters, a fee of $500; (b) more than 1,000 but no more than 10,000 gallons of oysters, a fee of $1,000; (c) more than 10,000 but no more than 25,000 gallons of oysters, a fee of $2,000; and (d) more than 25,000 gallons of oysters, a fee of $4,000; and (iv) on any oyster buyer using (1) a single truck or location, a fee of $100 and (2) multiple trucks or locations, a fee of $300.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 28.2-541
- Commission: means the Marine Resources Commission. See Virginia Code 28.2-100
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Shoals: means subaqueous elevations covered by water less than four feet deep at mean low water. See Virginia Code 28.2-200
- User fees: Fees charged to users of goods or services provided by the government. In levying or authorizing these fees, the legislature determines whether the revenue should go into the treasury or should be available to the agency providing the goods or services.
B. Any commercial aquaculture operation taking oysters pursuant to § 28.2-603 from a riparian assignment or general oyster planting ground shall pay an oyster resource user fee of $50.
C. Any harvester shall pay only one oyster resource user fee per year for oyster gear used under clause (ii) of subsection A.
D. The Commission may revoke the permit or license of any person who fails to comply with this section.
Code 1950, § 28-137.1; 1952, c. 650; 1954, c. 663; 1960, c. 517; 1962, c. 406, § 28.1-93; 1964, c. 393; 1966, c. 173; 1978, c. 583; 1983, c. 18; 1988, c. 313; 1992, c. 836; 2013, c. 38.