2020-2021 Commercial Oyster Rules — Effective 7/4/2020
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fishing and Boating Services
2020-2021 Commercial Oyster Rules — Effective 7/4/2020
WHAT THIS NOTICE DOES
The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources establishes the rules for the
commercial oyster seasons, days of the week that an individual may catch oysters, and catch limits.
Effective at 12:01 a.m. July 4, 2020:
- Seasons
- The commercial oyster season is open from Oct. 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 for the following gears:
- Shaft (Hand) Tong
- Patent Tong
- Dive
- The commercial oyster season is open from Nov. 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 for the following gears:
- Power Dredge
- Dredge Boat (Sail Dredge)
- Dredge Boat (Sail Dredge) with Auxiliary Yawl Boat
- The season is closed on all other dates.
- The commercial oyster season is open from Oct. 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 for the following gears:
- Daily Catch Limits
- A licensee may harvest up to 12 bushels per licensee per day, not to exceed 24 bushels per boat per day, if at any time during the day they use a shaft tong, patent tong, dive equipment, or any combination of those gear types.
- A licensee may harvest up to 10 bushels per licensee per day, not to exceed 20 bushels per boat per day, if at any time during the day they use a power dredge, regardless of what other gear is used that day.
- A licensee may harvest up to 100 bushels per licensee per day, not to exceed 100 bushels per boat per day, if they use only a dredge boat (sail dredge) or dredge boat (sail dredge) with auxiliary yawl boat, or any combination of those gear types to harvest oysters that day.
- Days of the Week
- An individual may catch oysters for commercial purposes only on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
WHERE THESE RULES APPLY
All open oyster harvest areas. Oyster harvest areas are submerged ground where an individual is allowed to catch oysters. “Oyster harvest area” does not include an area leased for aquaculture, restricted by the Maryland Department of the Environment, or designated as a submerged aquatic vegetation protection zone, harvest reserve area, or sanctuary.
WHO THIS NOTICE AFFECTS
Anyone who catches oysters for commercial purposes. These rules do not apply to individuals legally
harvesting oysters from an aquaculture lease.
AUTHORITY
Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.04.11G
Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio
Secretary of Natural Resources
