<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 08.02.20.02" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="20" heading="Bait.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Bait. For the purpose of this subtitle, “bait” means an attractant to catch fish which includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The living or dead, whole body or part of body of an animal; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A processed product from an animal or vegetative source.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Bait Harvester Permit.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Prior to harvesting the species listed in §C of this regulation, an individual not licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall obtain a bait harvester permit from the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A bait harvester permit shall be issued to an individual who has paid the fee for the permit as described in Natural Resources Article, §4-702, Annotated Code of Maryland to the Department and has met all reporting requirements as required by this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An individual harvesting bait in accordance with this chapter shall have the Department-issued bait harvester permit in possession while harvesting or transporting bait.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A bait harvester permit may not be transferred.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Bait harvester permits issued by the Department shall be valid beginning on September 1 and expire on August 31 of the following year.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Species. The only species of finfish or shellfish as described at COMAR 08.02.08.03 that may be caught and sold for use as fishing bait by an individual who is not licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Striped killifish (Fundulus majalis);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanous);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Rough silverside (Membras martinica);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Silverside (Menidia species);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Anchovy (Anchoa species);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis);</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Mole crab (Emerita species); and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes species).</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Methods.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An individual who is not licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, may use only the following methods and gear as defined in COMAR 08.02.25.01, to catch bait finfish or shellfish from the tidal waters of the State:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Cast net;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Dip net;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Seine;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Hook and line; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Trap.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A cast net shall be thrown by hand and have a radius not greater than 10 feet.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A dip net shall be operated by hand.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A seine:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>May not be emptied on the shore or beach or in any water less than sufficient depth to enable the unwanted fish to return to the waters alive;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Shall have mesh no greater than 1/4 inch; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>May not exceed 50 feet in width and 5 feet in height.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A trap shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be clearly labeled with the permittee’s DNR id number; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Be emptied at least once every 24-hour period.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Seasons and Limits.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Season. There is no closed season.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Daily Catch and Possession Limits. The daily catch and possession limit of bait finfish or shellfish for an individual who is not licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland, is as follows:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus): 10 gallons;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Striped killifish (Fundulus majalis): 10 gallons;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanous): 10 gallons;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius): 600 individuals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas): 600 individuals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Rough silverside (Membras martinica): 600 individuals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Silverside (Menidia species): 600 individuals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Anchovy (Anchoa species): 600 individuals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis): 600 individuals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Mole crab (Emerita species): 5 gallons; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes species): 5 gallons.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Reporting. A person permitted by the Department to harvest bait shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Record their catch on the bait harvester report;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Submit the bait harvester report as required by the Department; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Make available daily information and harvest report cards for immediate inspection on request of a Department representative.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Penalties.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to any other penalty established in COMAR 08.02.13, failure to comply with this regulation may result in the denial of a subsequent permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Prior to suspending a permit under this regulation or denying an application for a permit, the Department shall give the licensee notice of its intended action and an opportunity to appear at a hearing conducted in accordance with the contested case procedures set forth in State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and COMAR 08.01.04.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>