Contact Fisheries
The Department has submitted an application for a water column lease through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Department of the Environment for the total area of two Aquaculture Enterprise Zones (AEZ) on the Patuxent River. This permit will streamline the process for an individual to obtain a water column lease to carry out shellfish aquaculture. The Department will not be accepting applications for leasing in the AEZ until the required state and federal permits are secured.
Anyone can apply to use an AEZ, but 25% of each AEZ' is reserved on a first-come, first served basis for licensed watermen.
Upon DNR obtaining proper permitting, prospective individuals can submit an application to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to obtain a lease to culture shellfish over a specified portion of the total AEZ permitted area. As part of the application, prospective lease applicants will be required to submit an individual plan detailing how they will utilize a lease to grow shellfish as well as images or sketches of the structures to be used, dimensions and a detailed description of the makeup of the physical structures to be used, description of marking methods that will be utilized to ensure that all equipment, gear, or manmade material placed on the lease shall be permanently and individually marked with the lease number and name of the leaseholder.
In addition, all water column leaseholders in the AEZ will be required to carry insurance. Please review the necesary insurance requirements available with the application before applying. A lease will not be issued to you until necessary documentation of insurance is provided to the department.
All leaseholders including those in the AEZ, will be required to submit a yearly report describing the use of the lease during the previous year.
Fees
- Application Fee: A non-refundable $150 Application fee is due when the application is submitted.
- Yearly Rent:
- Off-Bottom lease in AEZ: $40 per acre per year due January 1 of each year
- On-Bottom lease in AEZ: $3.50 per acre per year due January 1 of each year
|
DNR to Hold St Mary’s River Oyster Leasing Public Meeting | (11/29/2012) The Maryland Department of Natural Resource (DNR) will hold a public meeting to discuss adding criteria to regulated oyster aquaculture inside of the St. Mary’s River Oyster Sancturary on December 6 from 3 to 7 p.m. It is the Department’s view that a regulate... |
|
Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Maryland Native Oyster Survival Rate Highest Since 1985 | (2/13/2012) Governor proposes $8 million capital investment for oyster restoration Oyster disease levels lowest on record Governor Martin O'Malley today announced another landmark in the State's ongoing efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay's native oyster populati... |
|
Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Streamlined Aquaculture Permitting | (8/15/2011) Army Corps of Engineers Expedites Approval ProcessGovernor Martin O’Malley today announced a new streamlined and centralized aquaculture permitting process for Marylanders interested in growing oysters and other shellfish in Maryland waters. Thanks to a realig... |
|
|
DNR Announces Aquaculture Opportunities in Sanctuaries | (7/22/2011) New Leases will Help Foster Aquaculture and Develop Productive BottomThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Aquaculture Division will begin accepting limited applications for new aquaculture leases within oyster sanctuaries on August 1, 2011. The G... |
|
|
Governor O'Malley Signs New Laws To Protect Maryalnd's Fisheries and Encourage Aquaculture | (05/19/2011) Governor Martin O’Malley today signed into law legislation to protect Maryland’s fisheries and encourage shellfish aquaculture. The legislation, supported by scientists, watermen, fishing and environmental organizations, is designed to deter harmful fishing a... |
-->