MARYLAND CREW REQUIREMENTS FOR 2009 COMMERCIAL MATURE FEMALE HARD CRAB CATCH LIMITS

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service is clarifying the crew requirements for the 2009 daily bushel limits for mature female hard crabs. The 2009 daily bushel limits are determined based on an individual’s crab pot license authorization as described in Natural Resources Article, §4-701 and 4-814. Pursuant to COMAR 08.02.03.14 the daily commercial mature female hard crab bushel limits for 2009 are as follows:

Bushels

Seasons LCC TFL OR CB3 TFL with CB6 OR CB3 with CB6 TFL with CB9 OR CB3 with CB9

April 1- May 31 2 10 15 20

June 16 – August 31 2 6 10 15

Sept. 1 – Nov. 10 (except Sept./Oct. closure) 10 25 35 45

The above acronyms stand for: LCC – Limited Crab Harvester License 50 pots; CB3 – Crab Harvester License 300 pots; CB6 – 600 pot authorization; CB9 – 900 pot authorization; and TFL – Unlimited Tidal Fish License.

As described in Natural Resources Article, §4-814 a 600 pot authorization (CB6) requires the license holder to have one crew member in addition to him/herself and a 900 pot authorization (CB9) requires the license holder to have two crew members in addition to him/herself on board. These additional crew members must be on board the vessel in order for the licensee to harvest at the bushel limit assigned to a CB6 or CB9. If crew members are not on board, then the licensee is restricted to the TFL or CB3 bushel limits.

John R. Griffin
Secretary
Maryland Department of Natural Resources

	Bushels
Seasons	LCC	TFL OR CB3	TFL with CB6 OR CB3 with CB6	TFL with CB9 OR CB3 with CB9
April 1- May 31	2	10	15	20
June 16 – August 31	2	6	10	15
Sept. 1 – Nov. 10 (except Sept./Oct. closure)	10	25	35	45
The above acronyms stand for: LCC – Limited Crab Harvester License 50 pots; CB3 – Crab Harvester License 300 pots; CB6 – 600 pot authorization; CB9 – 900 pot authorization; and TFL – Unlimited Tidal Fish License.