ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 175

156. The Conservation Commissioner of Maryland is hereby
authorized to select and reserve for oyster conservation, as
provided in this sub-title, any portion or portions of the natural
beds, bars and rocks of the Chesapeake Bay in dredger's area
to be replenished by transplanting of small oysters, shells or
other clutch, or in other feasible manner which the Commissioner
may deem best. The Commissioner shall give notice of said
reservation by advertisement to be inserted once a week for three
successive weeks, in a newspaper published in Baltimore City,
and in the County where the reserved area is located, which
advertisement shall describe the area reserved and give the date
on which the reservation takes effect, and shall warn all persons
not to catch or disturb oysters upon such reserved area until
further notice from the Commissioner for re-opening same for
public use. Whenever in the discretion of the Commissioner
such reserved areas shall have been replenished, he shall fix dates
for re-opening and closing same to the public, and shall give
notice thereof by proper advertisement inserted as above pro-
vided. Whenever after the re-opening of the area, the Commis-
sioner in his discretion deems it advisable to close said area
before the date advertised in said notice, then the area shall
be reserved against the further catching of oysters for public
use. No further notice to oystermen is necessary than the
notification by the Deputy Commander in charge of said area.
Any person who shall catch or disturb oysters upon such re-
served areas between the date reservation begins and the date
fixed by the Commissioner for re-opening same, shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any Judge
or Justice of the Peace of the County having jurisdiction, or
if in the Chesapeake Bay in the County most accessible or con-
venient shall be fined not less than $100. 00 nor more than $200. 00
or confined in jail not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months,
either or both, and the said cargo confiscated and returned to
the waters under the supervision of the Deputy Commander or
other officer making the arrest, and the boat or vessel shall be
held for the security of payment of said fine.

If any boat or vessel shall be seen sailing on such reserved
areas in the same manner in which they sail to take or catch
oysters with scoop, scrape, drag or dredge or similar instrument,
the said boat shall be pursued by an officer authorized by this
Section to make arrest and if said boat or vessel apprehended
by said officer shall be found to have on board any wet oysters
or dredges or dredge lines or wet deck indicating the taking of
oysters at said time and properly equipped for taking: or catch-
ing oysters in scoop, scrape, drag or dredge or similar instru-
ment such fact shall be deemed prima facia evidence that said
boat or vessel has been used in violation of the provisions of this