(a) The Department may adopt regulations governing the use of patent tongs to harvest hard-shell clams in areas of Somerset County where the use of patent tongs to catch oysters is authorized.
(b) (1) This subsection applies only in Somerset County.
(2) A person may not catch hard-shell clams with patent tongs:
(i) Between sunset on any day and sunrise the following day; or
(ii) On Sundays.
(3) The season for catching hard-shell clams with patent tongs is the same as the season for catching oysters with patent tongs as provided in § 4-1008.1 of this subtitle or as altered by regulations adopted under § 4-2A-05 of this title.