562                              Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 430

one from the State at large. In making the first appointments to the

Commission, the Governor shall appoint the members for terms to
begin on June 1, 1959, as follows: one for one year, one for two years,

one for three years, one for four years, one for five years, one

for six years, and one for seven years. Thereafter, all appoint-

ments, except to fill vacancies, shall be for terms of seven (7)
FIVE (5) years. Whenever a vacancy in any term of office
shall occur, the Governor may fill the vacancy for the unexpired
portion of the term. The Governor shall have the power to remove
any Commissioner for cause. The Commissioners shall each receive
an annual salary of one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200.00).
THREE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ($3,600.00). They
shall be entitled to reimbursement for their traveling and other
expenses in attending meetings of the Commission. The Commis-
sioners, with the approval of the Governor, shall select one of their
number as chairman, who shall preside at their meetings. THE
CHAIRMAN SHALL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY OF
$4,500.00. The Commission may adopt rules and regulations to gov-
ern the conduct of their meetings.

7. (a). The Department shall have general supervisory power,
regulation and control over the following natural resources of the
State, within the bounds of tidewater: fish, crabs, terrapin, oysters,
clams and other shellfish. Wherever reference is made in this article
or elsewhere in the laws of this State to the Commission of Tide-
water Fisheries, it shall hereafter mean the Department of Tidewater
Fisheries.

(b). The Department shall exercise the powers conferred and per-
form the duties imposed by all laws now in force or thereafter
enacted, relating to fish, crabs, terrapins, oysters, clams and other
shellfish, and particularly the provisions of Sections 234 to 342,
inclusive, sub-title "Fish and Fisheries", and Sections 696 to 717,
inclusive, sub-title "Oysters and Clams", of this article and any
amendments thereto, relating to tidewater fisheries.

(c) In addition to any other powers heretofore and otherwise con-
ferred upon it and subject to the provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act, Sections 244 to 256, inclusive, of Article 41 of this
Code, as amended from time to time, the Department is hereby em-
powered to make such rules and regulations, and to modify or amend
the same from time to time, as it may deem necessary and proper for
governing or restricting the taking or catching of fish, oysters, or
clams, the possession thereof, or the method by which the same may
be taken, or the opening or closing of any specified area for the
taking or catching of fish, oysters, or clams, or prohibiting or re-
stricting devices used for the taking or catching of fish, oysters, or
clams, or establishing seasons for taking same or establishing mini-
mum size limits for fish, oysters, or clams. Any such rules and regu-
lations adopted by the Department shall have the force and effect of
law, unless and until modified or repealed by the General Assembly.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN
SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO GIVE THE COMMISSION THE
POWER TO CHANGE OR MODIFY ANY LAW ENACTED BY
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND EITHER BEFORE
OR AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THIS ACT.