This is not true for all states in the USA. Washington State sold many of its tidelands to adjacent private landowners, and hence such tidelands are privately owned and can be restricted to trespassing.
Roland
 
Roland C. Anderson, Puget Sound Biologist
The Seattle Aquarium
1483 Alaskan Way
Seattle WA 98101 USA
phone: 206-386-4359
See our website: www.seattleaquarium.org
 
>>> Ross Mayhew <[log in to unmask]> 12/20 6:05 PM >>>
I have been wondering for some time if beaches can be privately owned in
some countries?  In the States, Canada, Britain, Australia, NZ, and a
lot of other countries, anything below the high-water line (as variously
defined) is public property, and cannot be owned- which means that as
long as one can reach it without trespassing, one can shell any
non-restricted area to one's heart's content.  Is this true in most
countries?  Does anyone know a country where this situation does not
apply??
 
-Ross M.