Posted Monday March 16, 2009

 

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 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.

Harvesting conditions for all sites: Open Monday through Friday, March 23, 2009 through March 31, 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, and cultch consisting of shells, stones, gravel and slag; only the gear that is legal for the area may be used; catch must be held in containers; catch must be checked with a check-in boat that will be on site to monitor the bushels harvested and hours worked .

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° 58.654' N, Longitude 76° 12.381' W, then running 330° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 58.966' N, Longitude 76° 12.608' W, then running 47° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.309' N, Longitude 76° 12.141' W, then running 134° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.213' N, Longitude 76° 12.015' W, then running 57° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.255' N, Longitude 76° 11.931' W, then running 37° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.534' N, Longitude 76° 11.66' W, then running 93° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.523' N, Longitude 76° 11.374' W, then running 222° True to the point of beginning.

Devil’s Playground Oyster Harvest Reserve Area (Hand Tong and Diver only)
Beginning at a point at or near Latitude 39° 0.039' N, Longitude 76° 12.186' W, then running 16° True to a point at or near Latitude 39° 0.369' N, Longitude 76° 12.062' W, then running 91° True to a point at or near Latitude 39° 0.362' N, Longitude 76° 11.544' W, then running 202° True to a point at or near Latitude 39° 0.082' N, Longitude 76° 11.69' W, then running 233° True to a point at or near Latitude 38° 59.945' N, Longitude 76° 11.926' W, then running 295° True to the point of beginning.

These reserves have met the criteria for additional harvest. This action is intended to increase yield and mitigate potential oyster losses due to disease.

For any questions or comments contact Eric Campbell at DNR’s Chesapeake Shellfish Division at 410-260-8261.