244                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 128

land (1962 Supplement), title "Natural Resources," subtitle "Oysters
and Clams," be and it is hereby repealed and re-enacted, with amend-
ments, to read as follows:

715A.

(b) In order to further and promote the soft shell clam industry
to the greatest advantage and benefit of the peoples of the State of
Maryland; to properly regulate the processes of that industry so as
to insure its continuance and healthy growth; to provide for a hydro-
graphic survey of the clamming areas in order to bring about the
peaceful non-interference on the part of the clam industry with other
industries of the tidal waters; and to prevent any trespass or viola-
tion by that industry of the rights and privileges of owners of prop-
erties contiguous to possible areas of operation of the soft shell clam
industry; the Commission of Tidewater Fisheries is hereby author-
ized and directed to adopt and publish, immediately upon the effective
date of this section, or as soon as possible thereafter, and from time
to time to add to, change, alter or completely revise or repeal as it
may deem necessary and advisable, all rules and regulations which,
pursuant to this section, shall govern the boat and gear, as well as
the nature and size thereof, which lawfully may be used in taking or
catching soft shell clams with hydraulic, mechanical or other dredge;
the issuance, suspension and revocation of all licenses; the collection
of license fees and of an inspection tax; the areas of operation, or
the entire area, which may be opened and closed, and reopened and
reclosed as the Commission may deem necessary and expedient; the
methods of taking or catching soft shell clams; the circumstances of
their possession and their marketing; as the Commission may judge
to be necessary in the best interests of the State; provided that it
shall be unlawful to take or catch or attempt to take or catch soft
shell clams with a hydraulic or mechanical dredge or with any other
type gear upon any natural oyster bar as defined in the first para-
graph of Section 696 (i) of this article and further in the waters of
Kent County it shall also be unlawful to take or catch, or attempt to
take or catch, soft shell clams by hydraulic or mechanical dredge, or
by any other means:

(1)  Within 50 yards of any commercially productive oyster tonging
area defined on the charts of the Commission of Tidewater Fisheries,
or as defined under Section 696 (i) of this article, or

(2)  Within 150 feet of any bulkhead, wharf or pier, constructed or
erected in, out in, over or under any of the waters of this State, or

(3)   Within 1000 feet of any public bathing beach during the
months of May, June, July, August and September of any year, or

(4)  Within 100 yards of any private bathing beaches, during the
months of May, June, July, August and September; provided that
the private bathing beaches shall be staked and marked by the owners
thereof upon which shall be lettered "bathing beach" and the owner's
name, of a readily discernible size, or as may be required by any rule
or regulation of the Commission of Tidewater Fisheries; provided,
however, that the linear measurement along the shore line for the
first such area shall not exceed a distance of 100 yards for each land-
owner. In the event that there shall be more than one such private