Posted Monday November 26, 2007

 

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 harvest reserve areas described below for the Chester River, Choptank River and Patuxent River will be open for harvest under the conditions set forth below. Buoys will mark the open areas described below. Reserve sections outside the marked areas remain closed. 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.

Harvesting conditions for all sites: Open Monday through Friday, December 3, 2007 through March 31, 2008 from sunrise till 3pm; 3” minimum cull size; 15 bushel daily limit per license not to exceed 30 bushels per boat (oyster surcharge fee must be paid for each harvester); 5% tolerance of oysters which measure less than 3 inches from hinge to bill and cultch consisting of shells, stones, gravel and slag; 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 .

Chester River – Queen Anne County
Blunt Oyster Harvest Reserve Areas (Hand Tong and Diver only)
Beginning at a point defined by Lat 38° 59.281' N and Long 76° 12.187' W; then running approximately 45° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 59.557' N and Long 76° 11.830' W; then running approximately 97° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 59.538' N and Long 76° 11.631' W; then running approximately 222° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 59.320' N and Long 76° 11.880' W; then running approximately 135° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 59.260' N and Long 76° 11.804' W; then running approximately 206° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 59.151' N and Long 76° 11.872' W; then running approximately 298° True to the point of beginning.

Choptank River – Talbot County
Bolingbroke Sand Oyster Harvest Reserve Areas (Hand Tong Only)
Beginning at a point defined by Lat 38° 34.793' N and Long 76° 02.984' W; then running approximately 102° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.777' N and Long 76° 02.891' W; then running approximately 78° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.791' N and Long 76° 02.807' W; then running approximately 33° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.871' N and Long 76° 02.741' W; then running approximately 113° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.739' N and Long 76° 02.352' W; then running approximately 206° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.624' N and Long 76° 02.422' W; then running approximately 301° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.732' N and Long 76° 02.649' W; then running approximately 265° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 34.709' N and Long 76° 02.981' W; then running approximately 358° True to the point of beginning.

Patuxent River – Calvert and St. Marys Counties
Broadneck Oyster Reserve Area (Hand Tong Only)
Beginning at a point defined by Lat 38° 27.892' N and Long 76° 39.344' W; then running approximately 72° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 27.951' N and Long 76° 39.113' W; then running approximately 158° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 27.861' N and Long 76° 39.068' W; then running approximately 251° True to a point defined by Lat 38° 27.818' N and Long 76° 39.226' W; then running approximately 308° True to the point of beginning.

These reserves have met the criteria for additional harvest. This action is intended to increase harvest and mitigate potential oyster losses due to disease.

Comments and questions may be directed to Eric Campbell at DNR’s Chesapeake Shellfish Program - Fisheries Service, Tawes State Office Bldg. B-2, 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis MD 21401, telephone: 410-260-8261, or email: ecampbell@dnr.state.md.us.