a. No person may take, or attempt to take, or have in his possession, any striped bass from any waters of the State, except the Atlantic Ocean, from January 1 through February 28 of each year.
b. The department shall, by regulation adopted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), implement a closed season for the striped bass spawning area of the Delaware river during the spawning period.