(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 in Delaware's Inland Bays to be used for shellfish aquaculture beneath the waters of this State, subject to the provisions, limitations and restrictions set forth herein.
(b) Scientific use of shellfish grounds. — The Secretary is hereby authorized to issue a lease in the name of the State to educational and/or scientific institutions or their designees for tracts or parcels of shellfish grounds to be used for scientific and/or educational purposes determined by the Secretary to be in the best interests of the shellfisheries aquaculture industry. Such a permit shall contain at least the following information and criteria: