The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), pursuant to Natural Resources Article §4-1009.1 of the Maryland Annotated Code and the Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.04.14, announces that the oyster harvest reserve areas described below for the Chester River, Choptank River and Patuxent River will be open for harvest effective only under the conditions set forth below. Buoys will mark the open areas described below. Reserve sections outside the marked areas remain closed. Harvesting may only occur on the dates specified in this notice, although the buoys may remain on site for a longer period of time. This action is recommended by the Oyster Harvest Reserve Steering Committee.

This is an extension of the harvest reserve openings in order to make up for a lack of communication to stakeholders and consequently the lack of opportunity for them to participate in the harvest on these reserves during the opening of November 30 through December 2, 2009.

Harvesting conditions for all sites: Open Monday through Wednesday, December 21, 2009 through December 23, 2009 from sunrise till 3pm; 3” minimum cull size; 15 bushel daily limit per license not to exceed 30 bushels per boat (oyster surcharge fee must be paid for each harvester); 5% tolerance of oysters which measure less than 3 inches from hinge to bill, cultch consisting of shells, stones, gravel and slag must be returned to the bar; only the gear that is legal for the area may be used; catch must be held in containers; check boats may be on site to record any harvest. If a check boat is on site, it will make its presence known to the harvesters.

Chester River – Queen Anne and Kent Counties Blunt Oyster Harvest Reserve Area (Hand Tong and Diver only) Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.136' N., Longitude 76° 12.047' W., then running 42° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 59.352' N., Longitude 76° 11.797' W., then running 124° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 59.293' N., Longitude 76° 11.683' W., then running 222° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 59.063' N., Longitude 76° 11.948' W., then running 313° True to the point of beginning.

Spaniard Point Harvest Reserve Area (Hand Tong only) Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 39° 5.735' N., Longitude 76° 9.233' W., then running 34° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 5.888' N., Longitude 76° 9.102' W., then running 72° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.032' N., Longitude 76° 8.548' W., then running 130° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 5.945' N., Longitude 76° 8.413' W., then running 238° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 5.622' N., Longitude 76° 9.088' W., then running 315° True to the point of beginning.

Emory Hollow Harvest Reserve Area (Hand Tong only) Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 39° 6.112' N., Longitude 76° 8.093' W., then running 73° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.250' N., Longitude 76° 7.521' W., then running 134° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.200' N., Longitude 76° 7.455' W., then running 179° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.061' N., Longitude 76° 7.453' W., then running 262° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 5.991' N., Longitude 76° 8.056' W., then running 347° True to the point of beginning.

Boathouse Harvest Reserve Area (Hand Tong only) Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 39° 6.579' N., Longitude 76° 10.193' W., then running 61° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.621' N., Longitude 76° 10.095' W., then running 99° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.608' N., Longitude 76° 9.986' W., then running 209° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.423' N., Longitude 76° 10.115' W., then running 291° True to a point, at or near Latitude 39° 6.457' N., Longitude 76° 10.227' W., then running 12° True to the point of beginning.

Choptank River – Talbot County Black Buoy Oyster Harvest Reserve Areas (Hand Tong only) Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 38° 34.599' N., Longitude 76° 2.387' W., then running 71° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 34.661' N., Longitude 76° 2.154' W., then running 118° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 34.518' N., Longitude 76° 1.816' W., then running 205° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 34.367' N., Longitude 76° 1.906' W., then running 278° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 34.416' N., Longitude 76° 2.334' W., then running 347° True to the point of beginning.

Patuxent River – Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties Broadneck Oyster Reserve Area (Hand Tong only) Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 38° 27.901' N., Longitude 76° 39.361' W., then running 76° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 27.958' N., Longitude 76° 39.072' W., then running 154° True to a point, at or near Latitude 38° 27.725' N., Longitude 76° 38.928' W., then running 239° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 27.623' N., Longitude 76° 39.147' W., then running 329° True to the point of beginning.

John R. Griffin
Secretary
Maryland Department of Natural Resources