The department is in the process of determining the rules for the oyster season, days of the week that an individual may catch oysters, catch limits, and catch times for 2022-2023.

 Public feedback is being accepted through June 21, 2022.

The rules will be set in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations by public notice on July 1, 2022.

COMMERCIAL FISHERY

The department is considering the same bushel limits as were in place for 2021-2022:

• Shaft (Hand) Tong, Patent Tong, Dive: 12 bushels/license/day not to exceed 24 bushels/boat/day
• Power Dredging: 10 bushels/license/day not to exceed 20 bushels/boat/day
• Sail Dredge and Sail Dredge with Auxiliary Yawl Boat: 100 bushels/license/day not to exceed100 bushels/boat/day

The department is considering the same harvest season as the 2021-2022 season:

• October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 for shaft (hand) tong, patent tong, and dive
• November 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 for power dredge and sail dredge, and sail dredge with auxiliary yawl boat

The department is considering the same harvest days as the 2021-2022 season: Monday through Friday

RECREATIONAL FISHERY

The department is considering the same rules for catch limit, catch times, season, and harvest days as the 2021-2022 season:

• Catch Limit: 100 oysters/person/day
• Times for Catching/Harvesting: Sunrise to noon
• Season: October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 for all allowable recreational gears
• Monday through Saturday

POSSIBLE TEMPORARY HARVEST AREA CLOSURES

The Upper Bay, including the Chester River, which had been opened during the 2021-2022 season, would be closed.

Exception: An oyster harvest area planted with either wild seed or hatchery spat between 3 and 6 years ago may be opened to harvest at the request of the County Oyster Committees.

BEFORE ADDING YOUR FEEDBACK TO THIS FORM, it may be helpful to read the information presented at the June 14, 2022 Oyster Advisory Commission meeting:

• 2022 – 2023 Oyster Season Proposed Harvest Limits Presentation

For more information and to provide feedback click here.

Feedback needed by June 21, 2022.