The Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pursuant to Natural Resources Article 4-1103 of Maryland´s Annotated Code announced that all the waters of the Magothy River, Anne Arundel County, above the line of the following delineations will be closed to shellfish harvest effective Friday, September 14, 2001 for the purpose of protecting restored oyster populations. Harvest by leaseholders from their leased oyster grounds will be permitted within the closed area. This closure has been coordinated with the local County Oyster Committees.

The oyster closure consists of all the waters of the Magothy River that lie within Anne Arundel County upstream of a line beginning at or near the southern tip of Mountain Point defined by Latitude 39° 03´33.2” N, Longitude 76° 25´59.4” W; then running approximately 180° (True) to a point at or near Magothy River Light 3 defined by Latitude 39° 03´19.0” N, Longitude 76° 25´59.3” W; then running approximately 232° (True) to a point at or near the shore at corner 3 of NOB 4-3 defined by Latitude 39° 03´8.3” N, Longitude 76° 26´16.7” W. This area will be closed until September 30, 2006.

The department´s goal is to restore oyster population in this area and to designate these grounds closed to harvest in order to contribute to the ecology of the river. Seed oysters will be planted on the site to rebuild populations, if needed.