Md. Code Regs. 08.02.13.10
E. Tier I. The following violations are Tier I violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier I violation receives 5 points.
| Statute or Regulation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.04.04 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Oysters: less than 5 bushels |
| (2) | 4-1027 | Selling or Shipping Hard-Shell Clams Without the Proper License |
| (3) | COMAR 08.02.02.05 | Possessing Undersized Soft-Shell Clams: 15%—24% per bushel in 5 or more bushels |
| (4) | 4-1036, COMAR 08.02.02.08, COMAR 08.02.02.09 | Unlawfully Selling or Shipping Soft-Shell Clams |
| (5) | 4-215, 4-803, COMAR 08.02.03.14E | Possessing Undersized Crabs — 10 or more bushels containing: (a) Hard Crabs: (i) 10—30 per bushel; (ii) 23—75per barrel; (b) Peelers: (i) Over 15 per bushel; (ii) Over 25 per float; or (c) Soft Crabs: 10 or more |
| (6) | 4-215, 4-803, COMAR 08.02.03.14B | Possessing Female Crabs in Male Crab Bushels — 10 bushels or more containing over: (a) 10 per bushel; or (b) 23 per barrel |
| (7) | 4-215, 4-803, COMAR 08.02.03.11A | Violating Regulations Pertaining to Mature Female Crab Closure Period — 5 bushels or more containing over: (a) 8 per bushel; or (b) 18 per barrel |
| (8) | 4-809(c) | Possessing Fat, Snot, Green, or Buckram Crab in Worcester County: 20 or more |
| (9) | COMAR 08.02.06.01 | Violating Snapping Turtle Size Limits: 12 or more undersized snapping turtles |
| (10) | COMAR 08.02.06.01 | Possessing Snapping Turtle Eggs |
| (11) | 4-2A-03, 4-215, COMAR 08.02.15.05 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Whole Striped Bass: 5—15 fish |
| (12) | 4-2A-03, COMAR 08.02.15.07 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Striped Bass Size Limits: 5—15 fish |
| (13) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.21.03 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Yellow Perch Size Limits: 11—24 fish |
| (14) | 4-733, COMAR 08.02.15.12 | Possessing Fish Whose Size or Weight Cannot Be Determined — more than 50 pounds |
F. Tier II. The following violations are Tier II violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier II violation receives 10 points and a 30-day suspension.
| Statute or Regulation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | 4—1007, COMAR 08.02.04.16, COMAR 08.02.08.02, COMAR 08.02.23.04E | Failure to Be Properly Licensed as a Buy Station When Buying Oysters — First Offense |
| (2) | 4—215, COMAR 08.02.04.04 | Possessing Undersized Oysters: 15%—24% per bushel in 5 bushels or more |
| (3) | COMAR 08.02.04.16 | Failure of Oyster Buyer to Fill Out Buy Ticket — Second or Subsequent Offense |
| (4) | COMAR 08.02.02.05 | Possessing Undersized Soft-Shell Clams: 25%—49% per bushel in 5 or more bushels |
| (5) | 4—215, COMAR 08.02.21.03B | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Yellow Perch Size Limits: 25—50 fish |
G. Tier III. The following violations are Tier III violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier III violation receives 15 points and a 60-day suspension.
| Statute or Regulation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | 4-743 | Knowingly Violating Shellfish Quarantine |
| (2) | COMAR 08.02.03.14 | Possessing Undersized Hard Crabs — 10 or more bushels containing: (a) 31—40 per bushel; or (b) 76—100 per barrel |
| (3) | 4-902 | Violating Regulations Pertaining to Terrapins—No Commercial Sale |
| (4) | 4-2A-03, 4-215, COMAR 08.02.15.05 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Whole Striped Bass: 16—25 fish |
| (5) | 4-2A-03, COMAR 08.02.15.07 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Striped Bass Size Limits: 16—25 fish |
| (6) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.21.03 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Yellow Perch Size Limits: 51 or more fish |
| (7) | Natural Resources Article, Title 4, COMAR 08.02.03, COMAR 08.02.04, COMAR 08.02.05, COMAR 08.02.15, COMAR 08.02.21, COMAR 08.02.22, COMAR 08.02.23 | Purchasing Fish Harvested During a Closed Fishing Season |
H. Tier IV. The following violations are Tier IV violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier IV violation receives 20 points and a 90-day suspension.
| Statute or Regulation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | COMAR 08.02.04.04 | Possessing Undersized Oysters: 25—49% per bushel in 5 or more bushels |
| (2) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.04.04 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Oysters: 5—9 bushels |
| (3) | COMAR 08.02.02.05 | Possessing Undersized Soft-Shell Clams: 50% per bushel in 5 or more bushels |
| (4) | COMAR 08.02.03.14 | Possessing Undersized Hard Crabs — 10 or more bushels containing: (a) 41-50 per bushel; or (b) 101—125 per barrel |
| (5) | 4-2A-03, COMAR 08.02.05.09 | Possessing River Herring: 5 or more per container |
| (6) | 4-2A-05(c), COMAR 08.02.12.04A | Taking Endangered or Threatened Species of Fish |
I. Tier V. The following violations are Tier V violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier V violation receives 25 points and a 180-day suspension.
| Statute or Regulation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | COMAR 08.02.04 | Possessing Undersized Oysters: 50% or more per bushel in 5 or more bushels |
| (2) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.04.04 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Oysters: 10 or more bushels |
| (3) | COMAR 08.02.03.14 | Possessing Undersized Hard Crabs — 10 or more bushels containing: (a) 51 or more per bushel; or (b) 126 or more per barrel |
| (4) | 4-2A-03, 4-215, COMAR 08.02.15.05A | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Whole Striped Bass: 26—35 fish |
| (5) | 4-2A-05, COMAR 08.02.15.07 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Striped Bass Size Limits: 26—35 fish |
| (6) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.21.03B | Possessing Undersized or Oversized Yellow Perch: 41—50 fish |
| (7) | 4-215, COMAR 08.02.03.08 | Possessing Egg-Bearing Females Harvested Out-of-State — Bill of Sale Required |
| (8) | COMAR 08.02.05 | Unlawfully Possessing American Shad, Hickory Shad, or Sturgeon |
J. Tier VI. The following violations are Tier VI violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier VI violation receives 30 points and a 365-day suspension.
| Statute or Regulation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| (1) | 4-708, 4-701(l)(2), COMAR 08.02.13.02E | Operating When a License is Suspended or Revoked |
| (2) | 4-701 | Operating Without a Required Commercial Fishing License or Authorization |
| (3) | 4—1007, COMAR 08.02.04.16, COMAR 08.02.08.02, COMAR 08.02.23.04E | Failure to Be Properly Licensed as a Buy Station When Buying Oysters — Second or Subsequent Offense |
| (4) | COMAR 08.02.24A, COMAR 08.02.05.24B | Unlawfully Finning Sharks or Dogfish |
| (5) | 16 U.S.C. §3371-3378 | A Violation of the Lacey Act (Misdemeanor) |
| (6) | 4-2A-03, 4-215, COMAR 08.02.15.05A | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Tagging Whole Striped Bass: 36 or more fish |
| (7) | 4-2A-05, COMAR 08.02.15.07 | Violating Requirements Pertaining to Striped Bass Size Limits: 36 or more fish |
K. Tier VII. The following violations are Tier VII violations. A person who receives a conviction for a Tier VII violation receives 35 points and license revocation.
| Statute or Regulation | Description |
|---|---|
| 16 U.S.C. §3371-3378 | A Violation of the Lacey Act (Felony) |
Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§4-206, 4-220, 4-701, 4-745, 4-1201, and 4-1210; State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2; Annotated Code of Maryland
Effective date: October 20, 1986 (13:21 Md. R. 2320)
Regulation .01 amended effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236); February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)
Regulation .02A amended effective January 2, 2006 (32:26 Md. R. 1996)
Regulation .02D amended effective April 13, 1992 (19:7 Md. R. 744); February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289); January 2, 2006 (32:26 Md. R. 1996); November 5, 2007 (34:22 Md. R. 1976); April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521)
Regulation .03 amended effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)
Regulation .03A amended effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)
Regulation .03C amended effective May 18, 1987 (14:10 Md. R. 1690); February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289); November 5, 2007 (34:22 Md. R. 1976); April 6, 2009 (36:7 Md. R. 521)
Regulation .03E adopted effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)
Regulation .03E amended effective November 5, 2007 (34:22 Md. R. 1976)
Regulation .04 amended effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)
Regulation .04H and I amended effective April 15, 1991 (18:7 Md. R. 772)
Regulation .05 adopted effective February 14, 2005 (32:3 Md. R. 289)
Regulation .05 amended effective November 5, 2007 (34:22 Md. R. 1976)
Regulation .06 adopted effective February 22, 2010 (37:4 Md. R. 338)
Chapter revised effective February 22, 2010 (37:4 Md. R. 340)
Regulation .01 amended effective March 21, 2011 (38:6 Md. R. 393); April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609)
Regulation .02 amended effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429); April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609); March 31, 2014 (41:6 Md. R. 377)
Regulation .02B amended as an emergency provision effective July 2, 2011 (38:16 Md. R. 941); emergency status extended to June 20, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 16); emergency status superseded March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .02B amended effective March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .03 amended effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429); March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381); April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609); March 31, 2014 (41:6 Md. R. 377); February 16, 2015 (42:3 Md. R. 314); April 11, 2016 (43:7 Md. R. 448); March 23, 2020 (47:6 Md. R. 340); July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)
Regulation .03C amended effective October 18, 2021 (48:21 Md. R. 889)
Regulation .03C—F, H amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)
Regulation .03C, H, I amended effective June 26, 2023 (50:12 Md. R. 475)
Regulation .03E, F amended effective November 29, 2010 (37:24 Md. R. 1658)
Regulation .05 amended effective March 21, 2011 (38:6 Md. R. 393); March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381); April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609); February 16, 2015 (42:3 Md. R. 314); April 11, 2016 (43:7 Md. R. 448); March 23, 2020 (47:6 Md. R. 340); October 18, 2021 (48:21 Md. R. 889); August 19, 2024 (51:16 Md. R. 742)
Regulation .05D, E, F amended effective June 26, 2023 (50:12 Md. R. 475); July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655); July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)
Regulation .05G, L amended effective March 31, 2014 (41:6 Md. R. 377)
Regulation .05J amended as an emergency provision effective July 2, 2011 (38:16 Md. R. 941); emergency status extended to June 20, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 16); emergency status superseded March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .06 amended effective September 20, 2010 (37:19 Md. R. 1283)
Regulation .06C amended effective July 1, 2019 (46:13 Md. R. 589); October 31, 2022 (49:22 Md. R. 979) ; December 25, 2023 (50:25 Md. R. 1087)
Regulation .06C, E amended effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429)
Regulation .06K amended as an emergency provision effective July 2, 2011 (38:16 Md. R. 941); emergency status extended to June 20, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 16); emergency status superseded March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .06K amended effective March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .07 adopted effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429)
Regulation .07 amended effective March 31, 2014 (41:6 Md. R. 377)
Regulation .07A, E amended effective February 16, 2015 (42:3 Md. R. 314)
Regulation .07B amended as an emergency provision effective July 2, 2011 (38:16 Md. R. 941); emergency status extended to June 20, 2012 (39:1 Md. R. 16); emergency status superseded March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .07B amended effective March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381)
Regulation .08 adopted effective April 4, 2011 (38:7 Md. R. 429)
Regulation .08 amended effective March 19, 2012 (39:5 Md. R. 381); April 15, 2013 (40:7 Md. R. 609); February 16, 2015 (42:3 Md. R. 314); April 11, 2016 (43:7 Md. R. 448); March 23, 2020 (47:6 Md. R. 340); July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)
Regulation .08D—G, I amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 655)
Regulation .08I amended effective March 31, 2014 (41:6 Md. R. 377)
Regulation .09 adopted as an emergency provision effective August 18, 2011 (38:19 Md. R. 1145); adopted permanently effective October 31, 2011 (38:22 Md. R. 1345)
Regulation .10 adopted effective November 10, 2014 (41:22 Md. R. 1318)
Regulation .10F amended effective June 26, 2023 (50:12 Md. R. 475)
Regulation .10F, J amended effective March 23, 2020 (47:6 Md. R. 340)