No person shall erect, set, operate or maintain a fishpound net in the waters of the Atlantic ocean, within 3 nautical miles from the coast line of this State, or in Sandy Hook or Raritan bay, without first obtaining a license for that purpose, as hereinafter provided.
An application for a license for such purpose shall be made to the commissioner. The commissioner upon the payment to him of the sum of $100.00 for each pound net to be erected or set in the Atlantic ocean, and $50.00 for each pound net to be erected or set in Sandy Hook or Raritan bay, as a license fee, may in his discretion issue to the applicant, if he is a citizen of the United States, a license, to erect, set, operate and maintain a fishpound net in one of the waters above specified. The method of numbering and identification of pounds shall be that which the commissioner determines. A license issued hereunder shall expire annually on December 31 next succeeding its issuance, and may be renewed by the commissioner upon the payment of the same fee and upon the same terms as those upon which the original license was granted.
N.J.S. § 23:3-41