DNR to Discuss Unused Blue Crab Licenses
Public Comment Encouraged at Three Open Houses

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Annapolis, Md. (April 3, 2009) - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding a series of Open Houses to address the issue of unused blue crab licenses.

In December 2008, DNR proposed regulations for the blue crab fishery that included a proposal to freeze all Limited Crab Harvester (LCC) commercial licenses that had not reported any crab harvest from 2004 to 2008. During the public discussion of this proposal, it became clear that a more extensive citizen participation process was needed. The Department withdrew the LCC license component from this year’s regulatory package.

“The Department remains committed to addressing the issue of unused crab licenses,” said Tom O’Connell, Director of DNR Fisheries Services. “We are holding this series of open houses to provide information that outlines the problems associated with unused crab licenses, provide responses to the concerns that have been raised by the public comment period and ask the public to provide constructive suggestions for short and long term solutions.”

Open houses are scheduled for:

April 16, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Earleigh Heights Fire Hall
161 Ritchie Highway
Severna Park, MD 21146

April 20, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Black Diamond Lodge
310 N. Fruitland Blvd. (next to Adam’s Ribs)
Fruitland, MD 21826

April 21, 2009 - 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Easton Armory
7111 Ocean Gateway
Easton, MD 21601

The Open Houses are designed as educational exhibits that the public can attend at any time during the opening hours and stay as long as they wish. DNR Staff will be onhand to discuss the potential problems associated with unused crab licenses and listen to constructive input about possible solutions. For more information, call the Blue Crab Hotline at 410-260-8286.

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April 3, 2009

Contact: Ray Weaver 410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell rweaver@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov