News from the DNR Office of Communications

DNR Fisheries Service To Host Public Regulatory Scoping Meeting

Annapolis, Md. (August 31, 2010) —  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. on September 8 in the Fellowship Hall at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis to present and obtain input on the following list of regulatory ideas:

  • A ban on felt-soled waders and wading boots throughout the State in order to stem the transportation of harmful invasive species such as Didymo (rock snot) between streams.
  • A requirement of commercial and recreational licensees to update their address information within 30 days of any change so that DNR may disseminate important information to all licensees.
  • Establish a Charter Boat/Fishing Guide suspension system to address violations. The new system would create tiers of violations based on egregiousness, similar to the current commercial license suspension system. Suspensions could range from 30 days to a year depending on the seriousness of the violation.
  • Modify the commercial license penalty system based on advice from the Tidal Fish and Sport Fishery Advisory Commission’s Penalty Workgroup, adding certain penalties and increasing the penalties on some of the Tier III (15 points and 60 day suspension) violations.
  • Add the Australian redclaw crayfish; the Marbled Crayfish “Marmokrebs;” the Red Shiner; and the Oriental weatherfish to the Nuisance Species list, making it illegal to import, transport, purchase, possess, propagate, sell, or release into State waters any of these species. Additionally, the Mimic Shiner; Southern White River Crawfish; and Chinese Mystery Snail may be added to the prohibited from transport list making it illegal to move these species from one watershed to another.
  • Shorten the public notice time requirement for the closure of the commercial yellow perch fishery from 48 to 24 hours to reduce the likelihood of overshooting the total allowable catch.
  • Increase the Patuxent River daily commercial yellow perch limit from 100 pounds to 150 pounds per licensee to provide a better scenario for achieving the quota.

    • Additional information on these agenda items is available online at www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/scoping/Agenda7-27-10.pdf.

    Regulatory Scoping Meetings are held to discuss possible changes to fishing rules. Draft regulatory ideas are posted on the Fisheries’ Service website and comments are taken by email, fax, or mail by a specified date and at the Public Scoping Meeting. Based upon public input, the Department will determine whether or not to proceed with these regulatory ideas, as presented or modified, by submitting a proposed regulation.

    Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request.

    You may submit comments on these regulatory ideas by going to the Fisheries Draft Regulations Website, faxing them to 410-260-8310 or mailing them to Fisheries Regulations, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 580 Taylor Ave., B-2, Annapolis, MD 21401.

       August 31, 2010

    Contact: Josh Davidsburg
    410-260-8002 office I 410-507-7526 cell
    jdavidsburg@dnr.state.md.us

    The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million 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 11 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