Public Notice: 2021-2022 Commercial Oyster Rules

PUBLIC NOTICE
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fishing and Boating Services

2021-2022 Commercial Oyster Rules — Effective 7/4/2021

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, 2021:

Seasons
- The commercial oyster season is open from October 1, 2021 through and including
  March 31, 2022 for the following gears:

Shaft (Hand) Tong
Patent Tong
Dive
The commercial oyster season is open from November 1, 2021 through and including March 31, 2022 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.
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 (hand) 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 That an Individual May Catch Oysters
- An individual may catch oysters for commercial purposes only from Monday through 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

Stay Connected - DFA Social Media