1. A. This regulation applies to any trip to catch crabs offered by a tidal fish licensee to an individual or individuals for any form of compensation.
2. B. Any individual receiving compensation from customers for any trip to catch crabs shall be in possession of the appropriate federal licenses.

3. C. An individual who, in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, is licensed as a fishing guide, is licensed as a master fishing guide or operates a vessel for a master fishing guide and possesses a valid commercial crabbing authorization:

   1. (1) May carry customers during a commercial crabbing trip;
   2. (2) Shall follow all commercial crabbing rules;
   3. (3) May not count customers as crew members;
   4. (4) May sell their catch to a seafood dealer or, if licensed as a seafood dealer in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, to a customer;
   5. (5) Shall report their catch in accordance with COMAR 08.02.13.06; and
   6. (6) Shall be penalized for any violation of statute or regulation in accordance with COMAR 08.02.13.03

4. D. Crabbing Charters.

   1. (1) Definition. In this chapter, “crabbing charter” means any guided trip for the purpose of catching crabs recreationally, offered by an individual who, in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, is licensed as a fishing guide or master fishing guide, or operates a vessel for a master fishing guide.

   2. (2) Crabbing Charter Decal.

      1. (a) Prior to operating a crabbing charter, a fishing guide shall obtain a crabbing charter decal.

      2. (b) Except as provided in §D(2)(c) of this regulation, a decal issued for a crabbing charter:

         1. (i) Shall be permanently affixed and displayed on either side of the forward half of the vessel for which issued;
         2. (ii) Is not transferable;
         3. (iii) Shall, when displayed, exempt all persons aboard from the requirement of possessing an individual license to crab recreationally; and
         4. (iv) Is valid for the current commercial license year.

      3. (c) Exemption for Crabbing Charter Decals. If the crabbing charter decal is not permanently affixed to the vessel, all persons aboard are exempt from the requirement of possessing an individual license to crab recreationally only if:

         1. (i) The individual who purchased the crabbing charter decal is present on the vessel;
         2. (ii) The individual who purchased the crabbing charter decal is in possession of the proof of purchase issued by the Department; and
         3. (iii) The crabbing charter decal was purchased within the previous 10 calendar days.

   3. (3) A crabbing charter:

      1. (a) May only be offered by an individual licensed as a fishing guide or a master fishing guide, or who operates a vessel for a master fishing guide in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland;
      2. (b) Shall have at least one customer on board;
      3. (c) May not harvest female hard crabs or female peelers from the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries; and
      4. (d) Shall comply with the recreational season, times, size limits, and gear restrictions established in this chapter for a licensed recreational crabber.
   4. (4) Crabs caught on a crabbing charter may not be sold.

   5. (5) Catch Limit. A crabbing charter with one or more customers on board may not catch more than two bushels of:

      1. (a) Male hard crabs and two dozen soft crabs or male peeler crabs from the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries; or
      2. (b) Crabs from the Atlantic Ocean and its coastal bays.
   6. (6) Reporting. Crabs harvested on a crabbing charter shall be reported on forms provided by the Department and in the time specified by the Department.
   7. (7) Any violation of statute or regulation shall be penalized in accordance with COMAR 08.02.13.08.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§4-206, 4-215, 4-701, 4-745, 4-803, 4-804, 4-809, and 4-810, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 24, 1975 (2:8 Md. R. 555)

Regulation .01B amended effective March 30, 1977 (4:7 Md. R. 578); May 23, 1983 (10:10 Md. R. 872); December 30, 1985 (12:26 Md. R. 2543); December 4, 1995 (22:24 Md. R. 1894)

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective April 4, 1985 (12:9 Md. R. 806); emergency status expired June 29, 1985

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective September 15, 1995 (22:20 Md. R. 1538); emergency status expired December 31, 1995

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 1996 (23:13 Md. R. 937); emergency status expired October 31, 1996

Regulation .01B amended as an emergency provision effective April 2, 1997 (24:9 Md. R. 653); amended permanently effective September 8, 1997 (24:18 Md. R. 1295)

Regulation .01B amended effective July 23, 2001 (28:14 Md. R. 1320); November 11, 2002 (29:22 Md. R. 1720); April 14, 2003 (30:7 Md. R. 486); February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .01D amended effective April 1, 1976 (3:8 Md. R. 424); October 17, 1980 (7:21 Md. R. 1994); January 17, 1983 (10:1 Md. R. 27); August 15, 1983 (10:16 Md. R. 1450); September 10, 1984 (11:18 Md. R.1583); March 28, 1994 (21:6 Md. R. 466); October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731); March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 483)

Regulations .01D, I, J, and .05 amended as an emergency provision effective August 10, 1994 (21:18 Md. R. 1505)

Regulation .01D amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); amended permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .01D amended effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .01G repealed effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .01H amended effective April 1, 1976 (3:6 Md. R. 357); March 30, 1977 (4:7 Md. R. 578); April 7, 1978 (5:7 Md. R. 521); May 4, 1979 (6:9 Md. R. 726); October 17, 1980 (7:21 Md. R. 1994); May 24, 1982 (9:10 Md. R. 1019); August 15, 1983 (10:16 Md. R. 1450); May 6, 1985 (12:9 Md. R. 810); December 4, 1995 (22:24 Md. R. 1894)

Regulation .01H amended as an emergency provision effective February 10, 1988 (15:5 Md. R. 612); adopted permanently effective July 25, 1988 (15:15 Md. R. 1808)

Regulation .01H amended as an emergency provision effective September 14, 1995 (22:20 Md. R. 1538); emergency status expired March 14, 1996

Regulation .01H amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 1996 (23:8 Md. R. 602); amended permanently effective June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 868)

Regulation .01H amended effective March 24, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 582); July 23, 2001 (28:14 Md. R. 1320)

Regulation .01H amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); amended permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .01I amended as an emergency provision effective July 24, 1978 (5:16 Md. R. 1252); adopted permanently effective October 20, 1978 (5:21 Md. R. 1586)

Regulation .01I amended effective March 30, 1977 (4:7 Md. R. 578); August 15, 1983 (10:16 Md. R. 1456); September 10, 1984 (11:18 Md. R. 1583); March 28, 1994 (21:6 Md. R. 466); October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731); March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 483)

Regulation .01I amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); amended permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .01I amended effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .01J amended effective May 9, 1975 (2:12 Md. R. 865); April 1, 1976 (3:6 Md. R. 357); as an emergency provision May 17, 1976 (3:12 Md. R. 641), permanently adopted effective August 18, 1976 (3:17 Md. R. 914); March 30, 1977 (4:7 Md. R. 578); August 3, 1977 (4:16 Md. R. 1210); April 7, 1978 (5:7 Md. R. 521); as an emergency provision effective June 29, 1978 (5:14 Md. R. 1131); adopted permanently effective September 22, 1978 (5:19 Md. R. 1444); amended effective March 7, 1980 (7:5 Md. R. 473); October 17, 1980 (7:21 Md. R. 1994); amended as an emergency provision effective June 24, 1981 (8:14 Md. R. 1251), adopted permanently effective September 28, 1981 (8:19 Md. R. 1565); amended effective February 1, 1982 (9:2 Md. R. 113); May 24, 1982 (9:10 Md. R. 1019); August 16, 1982 (9:16 Md. R. 1602); September 13, 1982 (9:18 Md. R. 1800); October 11, 1982 (9:20 Md. R. 1981); January 17, 1983 (10:1 Md. R. 27); March 14, 1983 (10:5 Md. R. 465); March 28, 1983 (10:6 Md. R. 554); April 25, 1983 (10:8 Md. R. 724); August 15, 1983 (10:16 Md. R. 1450); October 10, 1983 (10:20 Md. R. 1785); January 16, 1984 (11:1 Md. R. 41); April 9, 1984 (11:7 Md. R. 622); May 6, 1985 (12:9 Md. R. 810); February 9, 1987 (14:3 Md. R. 271)

Regulation .01J amended as an emergency provision effective June 23, 1987 (14:15 Md. R. 1655); emergency status expired October 23, 1987; amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 1988 (15:9 Md. R. 1106); amended permanently effective November 14, 1988 (15:23 Md. R. 2658)

Regulation .01J amended effective September 5, 1988 (15:18 Md. R. 2145); April 16, 1990 (17:7 Md. R. 847); February 4, 1991 (18:2 Md. R. 148); January 1, 1993 (19:18 Md. R. 1655); March 28, 1994 (21:6 Md. R. 466); June 6, 1994 (21:11 Md. R. 950); October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731); June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 869); March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 483); June 26, 2000 (27:12 Md. R. 1138); July 23, 2001 (28:14 Md. R. 1320); August 20, 2001 (28:16 Md. R. 1481); April 1, 2002 (29:6 Md. R. 566)

Regulation .01J amended as an emergency provision effective June 30, 1995 (22:15 Md. R. 1110); amended permanently effective December 4, 1995 (22:24 Md. R. 1894)

Regulation .01J amended as an emergency provision effective November 13, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1958); emergency status expired December 31, 1995

Regulation .01J amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643) amended permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .01J amended February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .01K amended as an emergency provision effective April 7, 1983 (10:9 Md. R. 788); emergency status extended to June 20, 1983 (10:11 Md. R. 962); adopted permanently effective July 4, 1983 (10:13 Md. R. 1179)

Regulation .02 repealed effective March 14, 1983 (10:4 Md. R. 315)

Regulation .02 adopted effective January 9, 1989 (15:27 Md. R. 3127)

Regulation .02 amended effective April 1, 2002 (29:6 Md. R. 566)

Regulation .02 amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2003 (30:8 Md. R. 537); amended permanently effective July 7, 2003 (30:13 Md. R. 853)

Regulation .02B amended effective June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 869)

Regulation .03 amended effective September 10, 1984 (11:18 Md. R. 1583); March 28, 1994 (21:6 Md. R. 466)

Regulation .03 repealed and new Regulation .03 adopted effective March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 483)

Regulation .03A amended effective April 14, 2003 (30:7 Md. R. 486)

Regulation .03 repealed and new Regulation .03 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); adopted permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .03D amended effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .04 adopted effective March 28, 1983 (10:6 Md. R. 555)

Regulation .04 repealed and new Regulation .04 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); adopted permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .04E adopted effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .04-1 adopted as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); adopted permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .04-1 repealed effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Regulation .05 adopted effective March 28, 1994 (21:6 Md. R. 466)

Regulation .05 amended as an emergency provision effective August 10, 1994 (21:18 Md. R. 1505)

Regulation .05 amended effective October 10, 1994 (21:20 Md. R. 1731)

Regulation .05 amended as an emergency provision effective September 15, 1995 (22:20 Md. R. 1538); emergency status expired December 31, 1995

Regulation .05A amended effective July 23, 2001 (28:14 Md. R. 1320); April 1, 2002 (29:6 Md. R. 566); April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 582)

Regulation .05B amended effective November 11, 2002 (29:22 Md. R. 1720)

Regulation .06 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 30, 1995 (22:15 Md. R. 1110); adopted permanently effective December 4, 1995 (22:24 Md. R. 1894)

Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision effective March 31, 2004 (31:8 Md. R. 643); amended permanently effective August 2, 2004 (31:15 Md. R. 1185)

Regulation .06D adopted effective July 23, 2001 (28:14 Md. R. 1321)

Regulation .07 adopted as an emergency provision effective September 15, 1995 (22:20 Md. R. 1538); Regulation .07A emergency text amended effective November 13, 1995 (22:25 Md. R. 1958); emergency status expired December 31, 1995

Regulation .07 adopted effective June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 869)

Regulation .07 amended effective August 20, 2001 (28:16 Md. R. 1481); April 1, 2002 (29:6 Md. R. 566)

Regulation .08 adopted effective June 17, 1996 (23:12 Md. R. 869)

Regulation .08 amended effective July 23, 2001 (28:14 Md. R. 1320)

Regulation .08B amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2003 (30:8 Md. R. 537); amended permanently effective July 7, 2003 (30:13 Md. R. 853)

Regulation .08E adopted as an emergency provision effective March 21, 1997 (24:8 Md. R. 613); adopted permanently effective July 28, 1997 (24:15 Md. R. 1061)

Regulation .08E adopted effective April 1, 2002 (29:6 Md. R. 566)

Regulation .08E amended effective November 11, 2002 (29:22 Md. R. 1720)

Regulation .08E amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2003 (30:8 Md. R. 537); amended permanently effective July 7, 2003 (30:13 Md. R. 853)

Regulation .08 amended and recodified to Regulation .09, and new Regulation .08 adopted effective April 12, 2004 (31:7 Md. R. 582)

Regulation .09A amended effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)

Chapter revised effective November 24, 2005 (32:23 Md. R. 1825)

Regulation .01A amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .01B amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 487); March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 324); February 7, 2022 (49:3 Md. R. 138); April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .01C amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2008 (35:13 Md. R. 1174); emergency status extended to December 16, 2008 (35:23 Md. R. 2011); emergency status expired December 16, 2008

Regulation .01C amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 487)

Regulation .01C amended as an emergency provision effective August 31, 2023 (50:19 Md. R. 852); emergency status expired December 31, 2023

Regulation .01C amended effective April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .03 amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 487); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067)

Regulation .03A, E amended effective March 30, 2015 (42:6 Md. R. 510)

Regulation .03B amended effective March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237)

Regulation .03E amended effective March 25, 2019 (46:6 Md. R. 345); March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237)

Regulation .05D amended effective February 26, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 399)

Regulation .06 amended effective January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067)

Regulation .06A, D amended effective March 30, 2015 (42:6 Md. R. 510)

Regulation .06B amended effective March 25, 2019 (46:6 Md. R. 345)

Regulation .07 amended effective April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .07A, B amended effective February 26, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 399)

Regulation .07B, D amended effective March 28, 2016 (43:6 Md. R. 404)

Regulation .07D amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1590); October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1345); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067); March 30, 2015 (42:6 Md. R. 510); January 1, 2018 (44:26 Md. R. 1214); March 21, 2022 (49:6 Md. R. 404)

Regulation .07E amended effective October 5, 2020 (47:20 Md. R. 874); March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237); March 21, 2022 (49:6 Md. R. 404)

Regulation .07G amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 487)

Regulation .07H amended effective March 17, 2025 (52:4 Md. R. 236)

Regulation .08B amended effective March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 317)

Regulation .08C adopted effective March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 317)

Regulation .09 amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 488); April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067); September 28, 2015 (42:19 Md. R. 1228)

Regulation .09A amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512); March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 324); February 7, 2022 (49:3 Md. R. 138)

Regulation .09B amended effective March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 324); July 1, 2019 (46:13 Md. R. 589)

Regulation .10 repealed and new Regulation .10 adopted effective February 26, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 399)

Regulation .10 amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2008 (35:13 Md. R. 1174); emergency status extended to December 16, 2008 (35:23 Md. R. 2011); emergency status expired December 16, 2008

Regulation .10 amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 488); January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067)

Regulation .10A amended effective April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .10B amended effective September 28, 2015 (42:19 Md. R. 1228); March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237)

Regulation .10C repealed effective March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237)

Regulation .10E amended effective February 8, 2010 (37:3 Md. R. 175); October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1345)

Regulation .11A amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .11A amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2008 (35:13 Md. R. 1174); emergency status extended to December 16, 2008 (35:23 Md. R. 2011); emergency status expired December 16, 2008

Regulation .11A amended effective January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067); March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 324); September 25, 2017 (44:19 Md. R. 896); February 7, 2022 (49:3 Md. R. 138); July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 511)

Regulation .11A, C amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 488); October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1590)

Regulation .11B amended effective March 25, 2019 (46:6 Md. R. 345)

Regulation .12A amended effective March 28, 2016 (43:6 Md. R. 404)

Regulation .12B amended effective April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .12C amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1590)

Regulation .12D amended effective March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 324); September 25, 2017 (44:19 Md. R. 896); July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 511)

Regulation .13B amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2008 (35:13 Md. R. 1174); emergency status extended to December 16, 2008 (35:23 Md. R. 2011); emergency status expired December 16, 2008

Regulation .13B amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 488); March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237); April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .13C adopted effective March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237)

Regulation .14 amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2008 (35:13 Md. R. 1174); emergency status extended to December 16, 2008 (35:23 Md. R. 201); emergency status expired December 16, 2008

Regulation .14 amended effective March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 488); February 8, 2010 (37:3 Md. R. 175); October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1345); April 2, 2012 (39:6 Md. R. 407)

Regulation .14A amended effective January 1, 2014 (40:25 Md. R. 2067)

Regulation .14A, E amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 512)

Regulation .14B amended effective February 7, 2011 (38:3 Md. R. 152); March 28, 2016 (43:6 Md. R. 404)

Regulation .14B amended as an emergency provision effective August 31, 2023 (50:19 Md. R. 852); emergency status expired December 31, 2023

Regulation .14B amended effective April 1, 2024 (51:6 Md. R. 269)

Regulation .14B, E amended effective July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 511)

Regulation .14B—D amended effective March 27, 2017 (44:6 Md. R. 324); March 30, 2026 (53:6 Md. R. 286)

Regulation .14B, G amended effective March 22, 2021 (48:6 Md. R. 237)

Regulation .14C amended effective March 26, 2018 (45:6 Md. R. 317)

Regulation .14E amended effective March 30, 2015 (42:6 Md. R. 510)

Regulation .14F amended effective July 26, 2010 (37:15 Md. R. 998)

Regulation .15 adopted effective July 7, 2014 (41:13 Md. R. 751)

Regulation .15D amended effective March 28, 2016 (43:6 Md. R. 404): October 10, 2016 (43:20 Md. R. 1109); July 1, 2019 (46:13 Md. R. 589)

Annotation: An amendment to Regulation .01J promulgated at 14:2 Md. R. 126 was declared invalid by the Department of Natural Resources and is not reflected in the 1987 COMAR supplement.