Theft

• The law prohibits willfully and knowingly taking the oysters from the oyster bed belonging to another person, corporation or government entity. The property must be marked as belonging to another. An offender will be found guilty of theft and possibly imprisoned for up to one year.
  
  

Dredging

• The act also prohibits dredging or using a net, other instrument or engine to take oysters. An offender may be guilty of theft or attempted theft punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both.
  
  

Excluded Acts

• The act excludes anyone who is fishing within the limits of an oyster fishery. Fisherman are permitted to use netting and other instruments to fish within the boundaries of an oyster fishery. There is no prohibition on collecting oysters in public, unclaimed oyster beds.