Title 4. Fish and Fisheries — Subtitle 9. Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 4-901 (2026)
Title 4. Fish and Fisheries
Subtitle 9. Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch
§ 4–901LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Department may adopt rules and regulations to:
(1)
Restrict the possession, landing, selling, or transporting of any lobster or lobster parts; and
(2)
Establish minimum size limits for lobsters.
(b)
The Department shall publish a notice of any lobster harvest regulations proposed under this section, and of any subsequent amendments to the regulations, and shall hold a public hearing on the proposal unless a public hearing on a substantially similar proposal has been conducted in the State by a federal management authority with notice advertised by the Department as required by this section. The notice shall include the time and place of any hearing.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 4-902 (2026)
Title 4. Fish and Fisheries
Subtitle 9. Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch
§ 4–902LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section:
(1)
A person may not take or possess diamondback terrapin for commercial purposes; and
(2)
A person may not possess more than three diamondback terrapin for noncommercial purposes.
(b)
This section does not prohibit:
(1)
The incidental catch of diamondback terrapin, provided the diamondback terrapin are returned immediately to the water;
(2)
The collection or possession of diamondback terrapin in accordance with the terms of a scientific or educational certificate or permit issued in accordance with § 4–212 of this title or § 10–909 of this article; or
(3)
The possession and breeding of diamondback terrapin by a person who holds a valid permit issued by the Department for:
(i)
Aquaculture activities under Subtitle 11A of this title; or
(ii)
Captive wildlife breeding under Title 10, Subtitle 9 of this article.
(c)
(1)
The Department, in consultation with the Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council, shall adopt regulations for diamondback terrapin aquaculture and captive breeding before issuing any additional permits relating to diamondback terrapin under Subtitle 11A of this title or Title 10, Subtitle 9 of this article.
(2)
The regulations adopted in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:
(i)
Verifiable safeguards to identify legally obtained diamondback terrapin;
(ii)
Standards for diamondback terrapin husbandry; and
(iii)
Standards for shipping diamondback terrapin.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 4-903 (2026)
Title 4. Fish and Fisheries
Subtitle 9. Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch
§ 4–903LinkCopy Citation
The Department shall adopt regulations governing the conservation of diamondback terrapin.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 4-904 (2026)
Title 4. Fish and Fisheries
Subtitle 9. Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch
§ 4–904LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A person may not catch shrimp for commercial purposes unless the person first obtains a license from the Department.
(b)
(1)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the Department may adopt regulations:
(i)
Governing any aspect of the shrimp fishery; and
(ii)
Establishing and implementing a pilot program related to fishing for shrimp.
(2)
Regulations adopted under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection may authorize the Department to establish for the shrimp fishery by public notice:
(i)
Closed areas;
(ii)
Catch limits;
(iii)
Seasons;
(iv)
Size limits;
(v)
Gear restrictions; and
(vi)
Reporting requirements.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 4-906 (2026)
Title 4. Fish and Fisheries
Subtitle 9. Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch
§ 4–906LinkCopy Citation
A person may not catch conch for commercial purposes unless the person first obtains a license from the Department.