PUBLIC NOTICE
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fishing and Boating Services
2015 Commercial Horseshoe Crab Fishery

The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to the Code of Maryland Regulation 08.02.10.01G(3) establishes the quota, season, and catch limits for the commercial horseshoe crab fishery, effective 12:01 a.m. June 8, 2015.

• Quota: The annual total allowable landings of male horseshoe crabs for the commercial fishery is 255,980. There is no female harvest permitted.
• Season:
• June 8, 2015 through July 12, 2015: A person may catch or land horseshoe crabs outside of 1 mile of the Atlantic coast. A person may not catch or land horseshoe crabs within 1 mile of the Atlantic Coast, its coastal bays, or their tidal tributaries, or the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.
• July 13, 2015 through November 30, 2015: A person may catch or land horseshoe crabs from the tidal waters of the State.
• December 1, 2015 through June 6, 2016: A person may not catch or land horseshoe crabs in Maryland.
• Catch Limits: An individual may not land more than 25 male horseshoe crabs unless they are in possession of a valid horseshoe crab landing permit. A permittee may not land more than 150 male horseshoe crabs per day.
• All other rules remain the same (COMAR 08.02.10.01).

Mark J. Belton
Secretary
Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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