The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to Natural Resources Article §4-1009.1 of the Maryland Annotated Code and the Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.04.14 announces that the oyster reserve areas described below for the Chester River and the Choptank River will be open for harvest effective only under the conditions set forth below. Buoys will mark the open areas described below. Harvesting may only occur on the dates specified in this notice, although the buoys may remain on site for a longer period of time. This action is recommended by the Oyster Harvest Reserve Steering Committee.

Oyster harvesting conditions: Blunt in the Chester River on every Saturday from January 15, 2005 through March 31, 2005 from sunrise till 1 pm; Emory Hollow in the Chester River and Bolingbroke Sand in the Choptank River on every Monday through Friday from January 12, 2005 through March 31, 2005 each day from sunrise until 3 pm; minimum cull size will be 4" at the Blunt Oyster Reserve and 3" at the Emory Hollow and Bolingbroke Sand Oyster Reserves. For all sites: 15 bushel daily limit per license holder not to exceed 30 bushels per boat (oyster surcharge fee must be paid for each harvester); no greater than 5% tolerance for undersized oysters as currently is in force in the fishery; only the gear that is legal for the area may be used; catch must be held in containers; catch must be checked with a check-in boat that will be on site to monitor the bushels harvested and hours worked and other necessary data. The 3" cull size for Emory Hollow is to encourage waterman participation and Bolingbroke Sand is due to disease concerns.

Chester River - Queen Anne County

Beginning at a point defined by Latitude 39º06.203' N and Longitude 76º07.401' W; then running approximately 340º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 39º06.284' N and Longitude 76º07.439' W; then running approximately 70º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 39º06.347' N and Longitude 76º07.217' W; then running approximately 159º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 39º06.267' N and Longitude 76º07.177' W; then running approximately 250º (true) to the point of beginning.

Beginning at a point defined by Latitude 38º59.320' N and Longitude 76º11.880' W; then running approximately 312º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º59.414' N and Longitude 76º12.015' W; then running approximately 45º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º59.557' N and Longitude 76º11.830' W; then running approximately 97º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º59.538' N and Longitude 76º11.631' W; then running approximately 222º (true) to the point of beginning.

Choptank River - Talbot County

Beginning at a point defined by Latitude 38º34.820' N and Longitude 76º02.840' W; then running approximately 272º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º34.825' N and Longitude 76º 03.010' W; then running approximately 349º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º34.980' N and Longitude 76º 03.050' W; then running approximately 90º (true) to a point defined by Latitude 38º34.980' N and Longitude 76º02.840' W; then running approximately 180º (true) to the point of beginning.

These reserve areas are being opened for harvest based on data which show the sizes have reached the required growth levels, the available biomass can support additional harvest, and the possibility of disease mortality for one site.

For any questions or comments contact Eric Campbell at DNR's Chesapeake Shellfish Program at 410-260-8322.