<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 08.02.05.03" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="05" heading="Spot.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Definitions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In this regulation, the following term has the meaning indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Term Defined. “Fishing party” means the combined total number of people on a guided fishing trip consisting of the licensed guide, the individuals under the guidance of the fishing guide, and their vessels.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Recreational Fishery. Except as provided in §§C and D of this regulation, an individual may not catch or possess more than 50 spot per person per day.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Fishing Guide — Limited (Type L).</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>This section only applies to an individual who is licensed as a limited fishing guide in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-210, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For each guided fishing trip:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The number of spot in possession by the fishing party during the trip may not exceed the product of 50 multiplied by the number of individuals that the licensed guide may guide on one trip; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An individual under the guidance of a licensed fishing guide may not possess more than 50 spot.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any spot in excess of the individual limit specified in §C(2)(b) of this regulation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shall be:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Alive; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>In possession of the licensed guide; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May not exceed the fishing party limit specified in §C(2)(a) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Fishing Guide — Guides Other than Limited Fishing Guides (Type L).</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>This section only applies to an individual who is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Licensed to provide fishing guide services in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-210.1 or 4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Permitted in accordance with Natural Resources Article §4-210.2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For each guided fishing trip:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The number of spot on board the vessel may not exceed the product of 50 multiplied by the maximum number of individuals that the licensed guide may have on the vessel; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An individual under the guidance of a licensed fishing guide may not possess more than 50 spot.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any spot on the vessel in excess of the individual limit specified in §D(2)(b) of this regulation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shall be:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Alive; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>In possession of the captain or licensed guide; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May not exceed the vessel limit specified in §D(2)(a) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Commercial Season. The commercial season for catching spot is April 10 through November 24.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Public Notice.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Secretary may establish or modify catch limits, size limits, and seasons for spot in order to implement the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spot, by issuing a public notice on the Department’s website.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The public notice shall state its effective hour and date and shall be published on the Department’s website at least 48 hours in advance of the effective hour and date.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Secretary shall make a reasonable effort to disseminate a public notice issued under this section through various other media so that an affected individual has a reasonable opportunity to be informed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A violation of the restrictions set by the Secretary in accordance with this section is a violation of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>