29.1-533 - Prohibition against use of substances injurious to fish.

§ 29.1-533. Prohibition against use of substances injurious to fish.

It shall be unlawful to use any explosive for the destruction of fish, orknowingly cast any noxious substance or matter into any watercourse of theCommonwealth where fish or fish spawn may be destroyed, or to place or toallow to pass into the watercourses of the Commonwealth any sawdust, ashes,lime, gas, tar, or refuse of gas works, injurious to fish. Any personviolating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3misdemeanor, except that any person convicted of destroying fish by means ofexplosives shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The owner or lessee of any property on which fish are destroyed by means ofexplosives shall be entitled to recover liquidated damages in an amountdeemed appropriate by the court from any person convicted of destroying fishby such means.

(Code 1950, § 29-153; 1956, c. 709; 1962, c. 469; 1987, c. 488; 1988, c. 158.)