# COMAR Title 08 — Department of Natural Resources

## Subtitle 02 — Fisheries Service

### Chapter 22 — Sharks

#### Regulation .01 Definitions.

*COMAR 08.02.22.01*

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

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Circle hook” means a nonoffset hook with the point turned perpendicularly back to the shank.

  (2) “Eviscerate” means to remove the digestive organs of a shark, excluding the head.

  (3) “Finning” means removing only the fins of a shark.

  (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) “Handline” means a mainline to which not more than two gangions or hooks are attached.

  (6) “Landing” means:

    (a) The unloading of any fish at a dock or shore by a commercial fisherman; or

    (b) The bringing of any fish to a dock, pier, or shore by a recreational fisherman for personal use.

  (7) “Large mesh gillnet” means a gillnet having a stretch mesh size equal to or greater than 5 inches.

  (8) “Recreational angler” means any fisherman who catches sharks for personal use.

  (9) “Shore-angler” means any person engaged in any type of fishing that does not take place on board a vessel.

  (10) “Shortline” means a fishing line meeting the requirements of COMAR 08.02.25.06.

  (11) “Small mesh gillnet” means a gillnet having a stretch mesh size smaller than 5 inches.

  (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) “Vessel-fishing” means any fishing conducted from a vessel.