3. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection with the advice of the Shellfisheries Council shall adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations and amend or repeal such rules and regulations from time to time as required for the conservation, protection, management, and improvement of the surf clam resource and industry. These rules and regulations may include the imposition and collection of a per bushel fee for all surf clams harvested within the waters of this State, provided that the fee shall be in an amount not less than $0.125 nor more than $0.25 per bushel. Emergency rules or regulations may be adopted where immediate danger exists to the resource or industry.

The surf clam license fee shall be fixed pursuant to rule or regulation in an amount not less than $600 or more than $1,000 per license issued to an individual or entity legally domiciled or incorporated in New Jersey. The surf clam bait license fee shall be fixed pursuant to rule or regulation in an amount not less than $100 or more than $200.

L.1950, c.310, s.3; amended 1975, c.398, s.3; 1991, c.79, s.3; 2007, c.338, s.32.