(a) Authorized lease of shellfish grounds. — The Department is hereby authorized to lease, in the name of the State, tracts or parcels of shellfish grounds to be used for protecting, planting and harvesting shellfish beneath the waters of this State, subject to the provisions, limitations and restrictions set forth herein.
(b) Shellfish grounds not leasable. — No lease, other than a scientific lease, shall be granted for any of the following shellfish grounds of this State, nor shall any person acquire by lease, assignment, appropriation or otherwise any of the following shellfish grounds:
(1) Except in the case of shellfish aquaculture in Delaware's Inland Bays, shellfish grounds within 1,000 feet of the natural shoreline (mean high water) of any waters under the jurisdiction of the State;
(2) Natural oyster beds;
(3) Any leasing of shellfish aquaculture grounds in Delaware's Inland Bays shall be governed by a separate chapter.
(c) Scientific use of shellfish grounds. — The Secretary is hereby authorized to issue a permit in the name of the State to educational and/or scientific institutions for tracts or parcels of shellfish grounds to be used for scientific and/or management purposes determined by the Secretary to be in the best interests of shellfisheries management. Such permit shall contain at least the following information and criteria: