THEODORE R. McKELDIN, GOVERNOR                   941

ing, catching and marketing of soft shell clams from the waters
of this Stater AND PROHIBITING CERTAIN DREDGING IN
THE WATERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 651 (a) of Article 66C of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1951 Edition and 1954 Supplement), title "Natural Re-
sources", sub-title "Oysters and Clams", be and the same is hereby
repealed and re-enacted, with amendments; that a new sub-section
to said Article, to be known as Section 663 (f) and to follow imme-
diately after Section 663 (e) and a new section to be known as
Section 663A and to follow immediately after Section 663 be and
the same is hereby enacted and all to read as follows:

651.

(a) Devices for Taking or Catching Oysters and Clams—It shall
be legal to take or catch oysters or clams in the waters of this
State by rakes, tongs, patent tongs, dredges or hand scrapes, as
defined in this sub-title, and by no other means, except that in addi-
tion to the aforegoing means, soft shell clams may be caught or
taken by hydraulic or mechanical dredges or rigs.

663.

(f) Applicability—The provisions of this Section 663 shall apply
to hard shell clams ONLY (Venus mercenaria).

663A.

SOFT SHELL CLAMS

(a)  How to Apply for a Hydraulic Dredge License—Any person
wishing to take or catch soft shell clams (Mya arenaria) with any
hydraulic or mechanical dredge or rig in the waters of any County
of this State shall appear before the Department of Tidewater Fish-
eries and make application for a hydraulic or mechanical dredge
or rig license. Every such applicant shall exhibit to said Department
satisfactory evidence showing the name or number and size of the
boat and the size of blade, water manifold and conveyor or ele-
vator on the boat or rig to be used and make oath or affirmation
that he is the bona fide owner of such boat; that there is no lien on
said boat held by a non-resident of Maryland; that he has been a
resident of the County in which he desires to take or catch such
soft shell clams for one year prior to the making of such applica-
tion; that the information he has furnished concerning the rig is
true.

(b)  Issuance of License—Upon the receipt of such application,
and upon making such oath, the Department of Tidewater Fisheries
shall issue a hydraulic or mechanical dredge license for the taking
of soft shell clams for such boat or rig in the County of which the
applicant is a resident and shall receive therefor $50.00. Licenses
issued hereunder shall be valid for twelve (12) months from July
first to June thirtieth.

(c)  Residence of Master and Crew—The master, captain or oper-
ator AND CREWS of such hydraulic or mechanical dredge or rig
shall be a bona fide resident of the County in which such dredge or