ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 911

catching or taking of oysters; providing penalties for the
violation of this section and giving officers of the State Fish-
ery Patrol the right to make inspection for the purpose of
ascertaining whether instruments so used are in conformity
with the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That a new section be and the same is hereby added to
Article 72 of the Code of Public General Laws of Maryland,
title "Oysters, " sub-title ''Dredging, " to follow Section 22 and
to be known as Section 22-A, said new section to read as follows:

22-A. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or employ
in catching or taking oysters in the waters of the State or to
have in his possession any scoop, dredge, scrape or similar in-
strument having a tooth 'bar more than 60 inches in length
measuring from the outside teeth. No "devil catcher, " "devil
diver" or similar device shall be had in possession or used on
any dredge boat or vessel by any captain or any other person
for the purpose of being attached to the dredge for steering same
to the bottom.

Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be
fined the sum of $50. 00 and in addition thereto such scoop,
dredge, scrape or similar instrument shall be confiscated. Upon
second offense, in addition to the above penalties, any license
which may have been issued under the provisions of Section 23,
of this Article, to the person so convicted shall be revoked for
the remainder of the season for which said license was issued.

All Deputy Commanders and Inspectors of the State Fishery
Patrol are hereby authorized, directed and empowered to make
an inspection of all boats and vessels engaged in the catching
of oysters, for the purpose of ascertaining whether such boat or
vessel is equipped or has on board any scoop, dredge, scrape
or similar instrument which does not comply with the provi-
sions of this Act.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all laws or parts of
laws of the State of Maryland, general or local, inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act be and the same are hereby re-
pealed, to the extent of such inconsistency.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1st, 1927.

Approved April 5, 1927.