WHAT THIS NOTICE DOES
The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the recreational male hard crab catch and possession limits for the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries for July 2024 through June 2025. Effective 12:01 a.m. August 30, 2024, the recreational male hard crab catch and possession limits for individuals on a vessel are:
Daily catch and possession limits for male hard crabs are based on the Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey results, conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Possession limits for July through December 2025 will be determined when results from the 2025 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey are available.
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WHERE THIS NOTICE APPLIES
This applies to recreational crabbing on vessels in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, including the Maryland tributaries of the Potomac River. This change does not affect recreational crabbing from shore in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, nor any recreational crabbing in the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays, or tributaries.
WHY THIS IS NECESSARY
This action is necessary to ensure that male blue crab harvest does not exceed the Chesapeake Bay male conservation trigger referenced in Amendment 2 to the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan.
WHO THIS NOTICE AFFECTS
This applies to recreational crabbers who harvest male blue crabs on vessels in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.
AUTHORITY
Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.03.14G
but its ok to let other states take sponge crabs BS