3346

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 776

CHAPTER 776
(House Bill 1222)

AN ACT concerning

Fish and Fisheries — Restrictions

FOR the purpose of establishing certain restrictions in
drift net areas of the Chesapeake Bay during certain
times of the year; and providing for certain
exceptions.

BY adding to

Article — Natural Resources
Section 4-710(h)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1974 Volume and 1974 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Section 4—710(h) be and it is hereby
added to Article — Natural Resources, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1974 Volume and 1974 Supplement) to
read as follows:

Article — Natural Resources

4-710.

(H) A PERSON MAY NOT CATCH OR ATTEMPT TO CATCH
FINFISH BY THE USE OF ANY STATIONARY FISHING GEAR, OR SET
AN ANCHOR OR MOORING BUOY, OR IN ANY WAY OBSTRUCT THE
NORMAL TAKING OF FINFISH BY DRIFT NET FROM DECEMBER 1
THROUGH APRIL 1.

THIS SUBSECTION APPLIES ONLY TO WATERS MORE THAN 50
FEET IN DEPTH IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF THE PRESTON
LANE MEMORIAL BRIDGE AND IS NOT APPLICABLE TO ANY
CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARIES. THIS PROVISION DOES NOT
APPLY TO ANY DESIGNATED ANCHORAGE IN EXISTENCE ON JULY 1,
1975. THE DEPARTMENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PERMIT
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS SECTION BY REGULATIONS WHEN IT CAN BE
SHOWN THAT THE OBSTRUCTION WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH A

USEABLE FISHING REACH.