1544                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                                    Ch. 409

4-1013.

(e) All submerged land of the State not leased for
cultivation of oysters nor designated as dredging territory by
the provisions of this subtitle shall be reserved for tongers
exclusively. The owner, captain, master or any crew member of any
boat may not catch oysters by scoop, handscrape, or dredge, or
attempt or conspire to catch oysters by scoop, handscrape, or
dredge, from any submerged land of the State reserved for tongers
exclusively or closed by any rule or regulation, or order of the
Department. The taking of oysters by scoop, dredge or handscrape
by hand may be authorized by the Secretary upon the
recommendations of the appropriate county tongers committee, in
areas reserved for tonging when areas which are designated for
tonging oysters are closed because of icing conditions at least 7
consecutive days. Handscraping may be authorized on a day for
working day basis according to the number of days when tonging is
not possible because of ice cover, but not to exceed 14 working
days. The Secretary may specify areas to be opened and
restrictions on gear. There shall be a limit of 10 bushels per
man and no more than 30 bushels per boat. A person may not
handscrape for oysters after 12 noon. However, this subsection
does not apply to catching seed oysters under the surveillance
and with the permission of the Department.

[Chapter 797 of the Acts of 1980

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That chapter(s) of

the Acts of the General Assembly be repealed, amended, or enacted
to read as follows:

Chapter 203 of the Acts of 1979

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the provisions

of this Act shall expire automatically on September 15, 1986
without any further action required by the General Assembly.]

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall

take effect July 1, 1986.
Approved May 13, 1986.