First, St. Mary’s and Calvert County oyster committees, and other members of the public oyster fishing industry, have requested that the DNR consider extending the oyster season until April 14, 2015. This would provide an additional two full weeks (10 working days) beyond the normal season end date of March 31, thereby providing opportunity to recover lost fishing days resulting from ice cover in the Chesapeake Bay since mid-February.
Second, St. Mary’s and Calvert County oyster committees have requested a gear change within the Patuxent River that would allow the use of handscrapes on public fishery bars.
The DNR considers many factors when reviewing a request to extend a fishing season due to inclement weather. These factors include, but are not limited to: impact on the resource, assessment of weather conditions, the socio-economic impact of those conditions on the fishery, impact on future harvest seasons and public perspectives.
The DNR has the authority to extend the public oyster fishery season by not more than two weeks. The season currently ends on March 31. The regulatory mechanism to extend the season would be for the DNR to submit an emergency regulation to the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) for consideration. AELR has a minimum of ten business days to consider the emergency regulation. Final approval and effective date would be subject to the AELR Committee.
Prior to submitting a formal fisheries regulatory proposal, the DNR provides public scoping opportunity on the regulatory idea(s). This regulatory scoping item will be posted on the MD DNR Fisheries Service website, distributed to Maryland’s pertinent state fisheries advisory bodies and other stakeholders through our various outreach. Input provided by the public is considered by the DNR in determining how to proceed, or not to proceed, with a regulatory proposal.
Feedback is due by close of business Wednesday, March 11. If you would lie to submit written comment, please email [email protected].
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 - 09:42
The MD Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR) has received several requests on a couple of fronts concerning the 2014-2015 oyster season.
First, St. Mary’s and Calvert County oyster committees, and other members of the public oyster fishing industry, have requested that the DNR consider extending the oyster season until April 14, 2015. This would provide an additional two full weeks (10 working days) beyond the normal season end date of March 31, thereby providing opportunity to recover lost fishing days resulting from ice cover in the Chesapeake Bay since mid-February.
Second, St. Mary’s and Calvert County oyster committees have requested a gear change within the Patuxent River that would allow the use of handscrapes on public fishery bars.
The DNR considers many factors when reviewing a request to extend a fishing season due to inclement weather. These factors include, but are not limited to: impact on the resource, assessment of weather conditions, the socio-economic impact of those conditions on the fishery, impact on future harvest seasons and public perspectives.
The DNR has the authority to extend the public oyster fishery season by not more than two weeks. The season currently ends on March 31. The regulatory mechanism to extend the season would be for the DNR to submit an emergency regulation to the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) for consideration. AELR has a minimum of ten business days to consider the emergency regulation. Final approval and effective date would be subject to the AELR Committee.
Prior to submitting a formal fisheries regulatory proposal, the DNR provides public scoping opportunity on the regulatory idea(s). This regulatory scoping item will be posted on the MD DNR Fisheries Service website, distributed to Maryland’s pertinent state fisheries advisory bodies and other stakeholders through our various outreach. Input provided by the public is considered by the DNR in determining how to proceed, or not to proceed, with a regulatory proposal.
Feedback is due by close of business Wednesday, March 11. If you would lie to submit written comment, please email [email protected].
First, St. Mary’s and Calvert County oyster committees, and other members of the public oyster fishing industry, have requested that the DNR consider extending the oyster season until April 14, 2015. This would provide an additional two full weeks (10 working days) beyond the normal season end date of March 31, thereby providing opportunity to recover lost fishing days resulting from ice cover in the Chesapeake Bay since mid-February.
Second, St. Mary’s and Calvert County oyster committees have requested a gear change within the Patuxent River that would allow the use of handscrapes on public fishery bars.
The DNR considers many factors when reviewing a request to extend a fishing season due to inclement weather. These factors include, but are not limited to: impact on the resource, assessment of weather conditions, the socio-economic impact of those conditions on the fishery, impact on future harvest seasons and public perspectives.
The DNR has the authority to extend the public oyster fishery season by not more than two weeks. The season currently ends on March 31. The regulatory mechanism to extend the season would be for the DNR to submit an emergency regulation to the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) for consideration. AELR has a minimum of ten business days to consider the emergency regulation. Final approval and effective date would be subject to the AELR Committee.
Prior to submitting a formal fisheries regulatory proposal, the DNR provides public scoping opportunity on the regulatory idea(s). This regulatory scoping item will be posted on the MD DNR Fisheries Service website, distributed to Maryland’s pertinent state fisheries advisory bodies and other stakeholders through our various outreach. Input provided by the public is considered by the DNR in determining how to proceed, or not to proceed, with a regulatory proposal.
Feedback is due by close of business Wednesday, March 11. If you would lie to submit written comment, please email [email protected].