Posted Monday June 29, 2009

 

The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to Code of Maryland Regulation 08.02.10.01 has announced the following modification to the 2009 commercial horseshoe crab fishery in order to conserve female horseshoe crabs still spawning in the coastal bays at this time.

The horseshoe crab fishery will be open more than one mile off the Maryland Atlantic coast from June 8 and continuing through July 10, 2009. Harvesters possessing a Maryland Horseshoe Crab Harvester’s Permit are allowed to harvest and possess 100 crabs per day. All Maryland waters will be open beginning July 13 and continuing through November 30, 2009. Harvesters with a permit shall be allowed to harvest and possess the daily limit of crabs indicated on their permits. Fishermen without a permit are limited to harvesting and possessing a maximum of 25 crabs per day. Fishermen are reminded that they must land in their daily catch at least two male horseshoe crabs for each female horseshoe crab landed.

The Secretary may, by public notice, alter the catch limits or close the season if the catch rates exceed expectations and the state quota is calculated to be met or exceeded prior to the regulated November 30, 2009 end of the season.