<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 08.02.13.09" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="13" heading="Revocation of a Striped Bass or Crab Authorization.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Definitions.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Egregious means an offense which displays a wanton disregard for a requirement of the striped bass or crab fishery.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Knowingly means the specific intent to violate a requirement of the striped bass or crab fishery.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Repeat means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Three or more offenses in the striped bass or crab fishery on separate days in a single season;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A series of offenses in the striped bass or crab fishery which are part of an ongoing scheme or conspiracy; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>A series of similar offenses committed over any period of time which collectively display a wanton disregard for the requirements of the striped bass or crab fishery.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Knowing, Egregious, and Repeat Offenses.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department may schedule a hearing to revoke a person’s commercial authorization to catch striped bass or crabs from a person who knowingly commits an offense, commits an egregious offense, or commits repeat offenses in the following categories:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Using illegal gear;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Harvesting during closed seasons;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Harvesting from closed areas;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Violating established harvest, catch, or size limits; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Violating tagging and reporting requirements.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>When the Department seeks to revoke a person’s commercial authorization for an egregious offense, the presiding officer shall consider the person’s history of offenses in the striped bass or crab fishery, the amount of striped bass or crabs unlawfully caught, and the following, as appropriate, to determine whether the offense warrants revocation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The damage or potential damage to natural resources associated with using illegal gear;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any facts which bear on the egregiousness of a seasonal violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The location of a violation in a closed area;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The extent to which the person has exceeded permissible harvest, catch, or size limits; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The extent of the tagging and reporting violations.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If, after a hearing conducted in accordance with State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, the presiding officer finds or concludes that a person committed an egregious offense, committed repeat offenses, or knowingly committed an offense described in §B(1) of this regulation, the Department shall revoke that person’s commercial authorization to catch striped bass or crabs.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Operating During a Suspension.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department may schedule a hearing to revoke a person’s commercial authorization to catch striped bass or crabs from a person who violates terms of a suspension as described in COMAR 08.02.13.02.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If, after a hearing conducted in accordance with State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, the presiding officer finds or concludes that a person committed an offense under §C(1) of this regulation, the Department shall revoke that person’s commercial authorization to catch striped bass or crabs.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>