The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources by Natural pursuant to Resources Article, Section 4-1103 and section 4-1037 of Maryland’s Annotated Code announced that the following area in the Choptank River, Dorchester County, Maryland will be closed to shellfish harvesting for the purpose of establishing an oyster sanctuary effective Friday, September 14, 2001. This area is in the vicinity of the Cook Point oyster bar and is approximately 17 acres in size. This closure has been coordinated with the local County Oyster Committees.

The Cook Point sanctuary is all the area defined by: a point at or near Latitude 38º 39’ 13.1” N, Longitude 76º 16’ 53.4” W then running approximately 289º (true) to a point at or near Latitude 38º 39’ 15.5” N, Longitude 76º 17’ 02.4” W then running approximately 334º (true) to a point at or near Latitude 38º 39’ 21.5” N, Longitude 76º 17’ 06.1” W then running approximately 86º (true) to a point at or near Latitude 38º 39’ 22.4” N, Longitude 76º 16’ 50.6” W then running approximately 193º (true) to the point of beginning. This area will be closed permanently.

The department’s goal is to restore oyster population in this area and to designate these grounds closed to harvest in order to contribute to the ecology of the river. Seed oysters will be planted on the site to rebuild populations, if needed.