CNBNews

PUBLIC NOTICE
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
                                                           Fishing and Boating Services                                                                                                       Commercial Mature Female Hard Crab Catch Limits                                    July 1 through December 15, 2022

WHAT THIS NOTICE DOES

The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with blue crab advisory
groups, announces the commercial mature female hard crab catch limits for the Chesapeake Bay and its
tidal tributaries for July 1 through December 15, 2022.

Effective 12:01 a.m. July 1, 2022, the bushel limits are:

Mature female hard crab bushel limits are based on results of the winter crab dredge survey conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and consultation with advisory groups and stakeholders.

Crew limits as described in Annotated Code of Maryland, Natural Resources Article, §4-814, are in
effect. If crew members are not on board, then the licensee is restricted to the TFL or CB3 bushel limits.

WHERE THIS NOTICE APPLIES

This applies to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, including the Maryland tributaries of the
Potomac River.

WHY THIS IS NECESSARY

This action is necessary to ensure female blue crab harvest does not exceed the Chesapeake Bay
exploitation fraction threshold established in Amendment 2 to the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Fishery
Management Plan.

WHO THIS NOTICE AFFECTS

This applies to commercial crabbers who harvest female blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal
tributaries.

AUTHORITY

Code of Maryland Regulations 08.02.03.14G

Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio
Secretary of Natural Resource