1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Circle hook” means a nonoffset hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank.
   2. (2) “Eviscerate” means to remove the digestive organs of a shark, excluding the head.
   3. (3) “Finning” means removing only the fins of a shark.
   4. (4) “Fork length” means that length measured in a straight line from the tip of the nose of the shark to the center of the fork of the tail of the shark.
   5. (5) “Handline” means a mainline to which not more than two gangions or hooks are attached.

   6. (6) “Landing” means:

      1. (a) The unloading of any fish at a dock or shore by a commercial fisherman; or
      2. (b) The bringing of any fish to a dock, pier, or shore by a recreational fisherman for personal use.
   7. (7) “Large mesh gillnet” means a gillnet having a stretch mesh size equal to or greater than 5 inches.
   8. (8) “Recreational angler” means any fisherman who catches sharks for personal use.
   9. (9) “Shore-angler” means any person engaged in any type of fishing that does not take place on board a vessel.
   10. (10) “Shortline” means a fishing line meeting the requirements of COMAR 08.02.25.06.
   11. (11) “Small mesh gillnet” means a gillnet having a stretch mesh size smaller than 5 inches.
   12. (12) “Vessel” means every type of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water except for nondisplacement craft and seaplanes.
   13. (13) “Vessel-fishing” means any fishing conducted from a vessel.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§4-206 and 4-2A-03, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 23, 2009 (36:6 Md. R. 489)

Regulation .01B amended effective February 5, 2024 (51:2 Md. R. 76)

Regulation .02 amended effective March 3, 2014 (41:4 Md. R. 299); July 15, 2019 (46:14 Md. R. 621); December 22, 2025 (52:25 Md. R. 1268)

Regulation .02F, G amended effective May 27, 2013 (40:10 Md. R. 916)

Regulation .03 amended effective March 3, 2014 (41:4 Md. R. 299)

Regulation .03C amended effective December 22, 2025 (52:25 Md. R. 1268)

Regulation .03C, E amended effective February 16, 2015 (42:3 Md. R. 315)

Regulation .03D amended effective February 5, 2024 (51:2 Md. R. 76)

Regulation .03E amended effective September 11, 2017 (44:18 Md. R. 864)

Regulation .04A amended effective March 3, 2014 (41:4 Md. R. 299)

Regulation .04B amended effective May 27, 2013 (40:10 Md. R. 916)

Regulation .04C amended effective July 15, 2019 (46:14 Md. R. 621)