Annapolis, MD - The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources establishes the rules for the commercial and recreational oyster seasons, days of the week that an individual may catch oysters, catch limits, and catch times. Effective at 12:01 a.m. July 4, 2021:
Commercial Rules
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
Recreational Rules
Season
The recreational oyster season is open from October 1, 2021 through and including March 31, 2022.
The season is closed on all other dates.
Daily Catch Limit
The recreational catch limit is 100 oysters per person per day.
Days of the Week That an Individual May Catch Oysters
An individual may catch oysters for recreational purposes only from Monday through Saturday.
Catch Times
An individual may catch oysters for recreational purposes only from sunrise to 12 p.m. (noon).
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 recreational purposes. These rules do not apply to individuals legally harvesting oysters from an aquaculture lease.
AUTHORITY
Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.04.11G
