Before going out recreational oystering it is important to be aware of places in your area which are closed to shellfishing. To find if there are any closures in your area, you should first check the State of Maryland Shellfish Closure Area book. The book has maps and coordinates for the Sanctuary and Reserve areas. The book also shows the boundaries of the historic oyster bars and can help you locate possible areas to find oysters. Other closed areas may be found on the Public Notice page under the "Shellfish Closures/Openings" tab. Additionally, the Maryland Department of the Environment may have closures in your area due to pollution, please refer to their website. Restricted areas are always closed to harvest, while conditional areas are closed if there is 1" or more of rain in any 24-hour period. To find out what conditional areas are closed after a rainfall, you can visit the website or call toll free 1-800-541-1210.

Oyster shell is an important and limited resource. So once you've enjoyed your oysters, please consider donating the leftover shells to the Oyster Recovery Partnership. The shells will go towards creating more oysters for a variety of projects around the Chesapeake Bay. The Oyster Recovery Partnership has public drop-off points around Maryland where your shells can be donated.

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Oyster Gardening Registration

Oyster gardeners and growers are now required to register with the Department of Natural Resources. The registration process begins February 1, 2013 and can be completed using an online form. Details regarding this registration requirement are available in a Fact S​heet on Oyster Gardening.

Shell Recycling Alliance​