The bill designates the Great Salt Bay in Lincoln County as a marine shellfish preserve. The purpose of the designation is to gain a better understanding of the structure, function and integrity of marine shellfish ecosystems and to improve educational and study opportunities provided by marine ecosystems that are subject to minimal human disturbance. The bill prohibits the harvesting of shellfish and other harvesting activities that involve bottom disturbance. Research activities are excluded from the prohibition. The bill also directs the Department of Marine Resources to participate in a privately funded study of the bay.