The purpose of this Subpart is to promote and support the maintenance of viable surfclam and ocean quahog populations in the Atlantic Ocean portion of the Marine and Coastal District. The Marine and Coastal District includes the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within three nautical miles from the coastline and all other tidal waters within the State, including the Hudson River up to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The provisions of this Subpart require surfclam and ocean quahog mechanical harvesting permits, establish specific controls over the possession and design of mechanical harvesting gear, set daily vessel harvest limits and annual harvest limits, establish an individual fishing quota system for each eligible surfclam vessel, establish container and cage tagging requirements and require recordkeeping and reporting, implement mandatory vessel monitoring system requirements and establish rules for confidentiality of fisheries data. Such requirements are intended to support the continuation of a viable fishery in the involved waters of the Atlantic Ocean so that the fishery continues to operate in balance with available surfclam and ocean quahog stocks.