• Join Fisheries Email List
  • Follow us on Twitter!
  • Maryland Fishing and Boating Services on Facebook!
  • View our photos on Flickr!
Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing 2017-2018

Calendar



Fishing Challenge Logo

PUBLIC NOTICE   |   Proposed Crab Regulations Public Hearing

PUBLIC NOTICE
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fishing and Boating Services
Proposed Crab Regulations Public Hearing

C-1 Conference Room of the Tawes State Office Bldg, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401

Pursuant to Natural Resources Article, §4-803, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed blue crab regulation on September 8, 2011 at 6pm in the C-1 Conference Room of the Tawes State Office Bldg, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401.

The action would eliminate the regulation that prohibits commercial harvest of blue crabs on the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays in November. The regulation is no longer needed because of the implementation of more effective year-long regulations that limit blue crab harvest, including the closure of the female crab fishery on November 10.

The action would remove the requirement to list a vessel number on a crabbing license. The provision was originally put in place in 2001 to assist with enforcement of the commercial day off requirement. However, Natural Resources Police now have access to the computer license system (COIN) to confirm a waterman's day off rather than what is printed on the license.

The action would aid enforcement by clarifying that all recreational crab pots are required to be marked with the owner's name and address regardless of whether they are set on a pole, buoy or attached to the owner's pier or dock.

The action would allow temporary transfers of frozen and male only limited crab harvester licenses (LCCs). Permanent transfers are currently allowed. Prohibiting the temporary transfer of these LCCs has caused a restriction on temporary transfers of other authorizations as well. This was unintended. Allowing temporary transfers of frozen and male only LCCs will provide license holders with more business flexibility and does not affect conservation measures.

For more information regarding this proposal, visit: www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/proposedregulations.asp. All interested parties are invited to attend and give their views. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request.

John R. Griffin
Maryland Department of Natural Resources