Maryland Fisheries Service Draft Regulations

FISHERIES SERVICE DRAFT MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

The Administrative Procedures Act (APA), State Government Article, §10-101 subseq., Annotated Code of Maryland states the process by which state agencies must follow to create regulatory law. The Department may propose emergency or permanent regulations through the APA process. Emergency regulations expire after a maximum of 180 days. The APA process for a permanent regulation includes a 30 day public comment period after publication of a proposed regulation in the MD register. The Department may also hold a public hearing during the official public comment period. Permanent regulations do not change unless the Department proposes amendments. To view current proposed regulations and information on the official public comment process visit the Fisheries Service Proposed Regulations webpage.

In addition to this APA process, the Department has initiated a pre-regulatory informational process to gain a better understanding of the public's opinion. This process includes a bi-annual meeting to discuss upcoming proposals and web posting of unofficial drafts and/or explanations of upcoming regulatory proposals. The Department will take public feedback on these posted draft regulations. The information provided on this webpage refers to draft regulations or issues, which have not yet been proposed. Any text posted on this webpage is not official regulatory text and is subject to change prior to publication in the Maryland Register.

Public feedback submitted through this webpage will be reviewed by the Department prior to submitting proposed regulation. Please limit feedback to the specific changes addressed in the draft regulation. Comments received during the draft regulatory process will be kept separate from official public comment received during the APA regulatory process public comment period. We are unable to respond to the feedback we receive but we appreciate your time and your commitment to Maryland’s natural resources.

Click here to learn "How to Get Involved with Fisheries Rulemaking” .

Recreational Striped Bass Spring Catch and Release Proposals - Feedback due by November 23, 2009

The Department will be scoping two regulatory ideas designed to mitigate the impacts of catch and release trolling for large pre-spawn striped bass between March 1 through the 3rd Friday of April. Fishing effort has increased annually during the months of March and April, and the impacts of handling and releasing pre-spawn striped bass on the ability of those fish to successfully spawn are uncertain. These concerns and potential options were discussed on October 20, by the Sport and Tidal Fish Advisory Commissions. The Department has considered the public comment, and has drafted the following two proposals which are designed to reduce the impact of handling pre-spawn fish as a compromise between various stakeholder group positions. The Department is seeking public comment on the following proposals:

Proposal 1. Proposal 2.

Prohibit stinger hooks Prohibit stinger hooks

Require the use non-offset circle hooks or "J" hooks with a gap of less than 1/2 inch when using bait Require the use non-offset circle hooks or "J" hooks with a gap of less than 1/2 inch when using bait

Limit the number of lines to 6 per boat when trolling Limit the number of lines to 6 per boat when trolling

Require barbless hooks when trolling Require barbless hooks when trolling

Prohibit trolling on three days Mon, Wed., and Fri. Prohibit fishing for (targeting) striped bass three days on Mon, Wed., and Fri.

Click to Submit Feedback regarding the recreational striped bass spring catch and release proposals - Feedback due by November 23, 2009