DNR Public Notice – Commercial Mature Male Hard Crab Catch Limits
PUBLIC NOTICEThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services
Commercial Mature Male Hard Crab Catch Limits July 1 through December 15, 2022
WHAT THIS NOTICE DOES
The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with blue crab advisorygroups, announces the commercial male hard crab catch limits for the Chesapeake Bay and its tidaltributaries for July 1 through December 15, 2022.
Male hard crab catch limits include catch of all male market categories combined (e.g., number one, number two, and mixed/culls).
Effective 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2022, the bushel limits are:
There are no catch limits for male crabs July 1 – July 31, 2022, and October 1 – November 30, 2022,dates inclusive. No male hard crab harvest is allowed from December 1 – December 15, 2022.
The catch of male hard crabs on board a vessel must be kept either entirely in bushels or entirely in lugs.Containers may not be mixed on a vessel.
Male hard crab bushel limits are based on results of the winter crab dredge survey conducted by theMaryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and consultationwith advisory groups and stakeholders.
Crew limits as described in Annotated Code of Maryland, Natural Resources Article, §4-814, are ineffect. If crew members are not on board, then the licensee is restricted to the TFL or CB3 bushel limits..
WHERE THIS NOTICE APPLIES
This applies to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, including the Maryland tributaries of thePotomac River.
WHY THIS IS NECESSARY
This action is necessary to ensure male blue crab harvest does not exceed the Chesapeake Bay maleconservation trigger referenced in Amendment 2 to the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Fishery ManagementPlan.
WHO THIS NOTICE AFFECTS
This applies to commercial crabbers who harvest male blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidaltributaries.
AUTHORITY
Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.03.14G
Jeannie Haddaway-RiccioSecretary of Natural Resource
