Natural Resources - Public Clam Fishery Area - Establishment

HB 1263 establishes a designated public clam fishery area in the Chesapeake Bay by requiring Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to define it through regulation. The DNR must base this area on three years of commercial harvest data (pre-June 1, 2025), department surveys, and other quantitative data, in consultation with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission. The bill prohibits leasing this designated area for commercial shellfish aquaculture (farming), while allowing clam harvesting outside the area by licensed operators unless otherwise restricted. This directly affects DNR (which must implement the area) and commercial shellfish aquaculture operators (who cannot lease the defined zone).