reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-746 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters|Section 4-746 - Annual Survey of Striped Bass

    The Department shall conduct annually a scientific survey to determine the relative abundance of striped bass or rockfish of approximately 18 inches in length that are in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The survey shall be conducted in areas that are used by the Department to determine its young–of–the–year index of striped bass or rockfish.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-747 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters|Section 4-747 - Sale, Trade, or Distribution of Shark Fins Prohibited

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    (i)    “Shark” means any species of the subclass Elasmobranchii.            (ii)    “Shark” does not include smooth–hounds, spiny dogfish, or species in the superorder Batoidea.        (3)    “Shark fin” means the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached fin or tail of a shark.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a person may not possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute a shark fin.        (2)    A person may possess a shark fin if:            (i)    The person holds the appropriate State or federal license or permit authorizing the taking or landing of a shark for recreational or commercial purposes;            (ii)    The shark fin is taken from a shark that the person has taken or landed; and            (iii)    The shark fin is taken in a manner consistent with the person’s license.        (3)    A museum, college, or university may possess a shark fin if the shark fin is used solely for display or research purposes.    (c)    The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-801 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-801 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Buckram crab” means a crab that has a paper shell.    (c)    “Crab” means the blue crab species.    (d)    “Green crab” means an under-developed peeler.    (e)    “Peeler” means a crab which has a soft shell that is developing under the hard shell, on which there is a white, pink, or red line or rim on the edge of that part of the back fin next to the outer section of this fin.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-802 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-802 - Application of Subtitle

    The provisions of this subtitle apply only to the species of crab commonly known as the blue crab.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-802.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-802.1 - Landing of Crabs Caught in Waters of Worcester County; Waiver of Section

    Any crabs caught in the waters of Worcester County shall be landed in the State. However, the Department may waive the provisions of this section in case of emergency, necessity, or for other good cause.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-803 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-803 - Rules and Regulations Generally; Public Hearings Before Rules and Regulations Become Effective

    (a)    The Department may adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the following purposes:        (1)    To restrict catching and possessing any blue crab;        (2)    The methods by which crabs are taken;        (3)    To close or open any specified area to catch crabs;        (4)    To prohibit or restrict devices used to catch crabs;        (5)    To establish seasons to catch crabs;        (6)    To establish that the workday for tidal fish licensees who catch crabs using trotline gear may begin earlier than 1 hour before sunrise; and        (7)    To establish minimum size limits for hard, soft, and peeler crabs. However, this section does not permit the Department to change existing license fees for catching, picking, canning, packing, or shipping cooked hard or soft crabs or crab meat; or for selling, or shipping live hard or soft crabs by barrel or crate. The Department may set license fees on types of gear or equipment if not otherwise set by law.    (b)    (1)    The Department may not adopt regulations to:            (i)    Restrict a tidal fish licensee who catches crabs using trotline gear to a workday of less than 8 hours per day, excluding time spent setting or taking up gear; or            (ii)    Establish time restrictions on a tidal fish licensee using trotline gear for setting and taking up gear.        (2)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the Department authorizes the workday to begin earlier than 1 hour before sunrise, then:            (i)    The Department may not adopt regulations to restrict a tidal fish licensee who catches crabs using trotline gear to a workday of less than 11 hours per day, including time spent setting or taking up gear; and            (ii)    Trotline gear may not be set earlier than the catch time established by the Department.    (c)    The Department shall adopt regulations that authorize a tidal fish licensee who is authorized to catch crabs using all legal gear to work 1 additional early hour on Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4, and the day before each of these holidays in a license year.    (d)    The Department’s regulations may not become effective under this section until the Department first holds public hearings. The Department shall advertise the time, place, and purpose of the hearings in one newspaper of general daily circulation in the State, and at least in one newspaper circulated in the affected region of each county whose waters may be directly affected by the proposed regulations at least once per week for 2 successive weeks in advance of the hearings.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-804 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-804 - License for Catching Crabs for Commercial Purposes

    Any person who owns or is in charge of operating a vessel utilized to catch crabs in the waters of the State for commercial purposes shall obtain a license.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-807 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-807 - License to Engage in Business of Picking, Canning, or Packing Crabs

    (a)    Any person desiring to engage in the business of picking, canning, or packing crabs, except a person picking and selling crab meat for local family trade, first shall obtain a license. “Local family trade” means the selling of picked crab meat directly to the consumer by the picker, with the meat being picked entirely from crabs harvested by the picker or family of the picker. Nothing in this section exempts persons engaged in picking, canning, or packing crabs from the applicable Maryland Department of Health requirements.    (b)    This section does not require any person licensed to catch crabs to obtain a license to sell the crabs caught, or require a license for retail crab sellers who purchase crabs from a person licensed under this section.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-809 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-809 - Limitations and Prohibitions on Catching and Possessing Certain Kinds and Sizes of Crabs; Regulations; Special Provisions for Worcester County

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in regulations adopted under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not catch or possess soft crabs measuring less than three and one–half inches across the shell from tip to tip of the spike.        (2)    (i)    The Department shall adopt regulations establishing and governing a permissible bycatch for soft crabs under this subsection.            (ii)    The regulations that the Department adopts under this paragraph may not be more restrictive than the applicable restrictions on the permissible bycatch for hard crabs and peeler crabs.    (b)    In the waters of Worcester County, a person may not catch, possess, or keep in floats any fat crabs, or any crab known as snot crab, green crab, or buckram crab.    (c)    The minimum size of crabs does not apply to mature female crabs, identified by the rounded apron.    (d)    The minimum size for peeler crabs set by the Department in regulation does not apply to crabs imported into Maryland during the closed season for catching crabs if the person possessing the imported crabs has a certificate of origin.    (e)    Once taken, peelers shall be kept separate from other crabs.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-810 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-810 - Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Female Crabs

    The Department may adopt rules and regulations, after reasonable notice by publication, to permit or prohibit catching, canning, packing, shipping, or possessing the egg-bearing female crab or the female crab from which eggs have been removed.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-812 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-812 - Use of Crab Pots in Chesapeake Bay Waters in Dorchester and Somerset Counties

    (a)    A person may set crab pots in the waters of Tangier Sound, including Kedges Straits and the Somerset County waters of Holland Straits, south of a line running from Lower Island Point on Bloodsworth Island, following the Dorchester County-Somerset County line to its junction with county line buoy A; thence in a northerly direction toward Sharkfin Shoal Light to its junction with a straight line running from range marker AA northeasterly to range marker BB and the Dorchester County-Somerset County line; thence in a northeasterly direction following the straight line running from range marker AA northeasterly to range marker BB and the Dorchester County-Somerset County line to its junction with a line running from the former dwelling of Thomas Tigner near Haines Point to the southwesterly most point of land on Clay Island, provided that no crab pots be set in water that is less than 4 feet deep at mean low tide.    (b)    A person may set crab pots outside of marked channels in the waters of Tyler Creek on Smith Island from April 1 to June 15.    (c)    A person may not set crab pots in the Dorchester County waters of Holland Straits.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-814 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-814 - Limitation on Number of Crab Pots

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person authorized to catch crabs for commercial purposes may not set or fish more than 300 crab pots.    (b)    For the license year ending August 31, 1994, a licensee who held a valid license to catch crabs for commercial purposes on April 1, 1994 may set and fish 300 additional crab pots for each additional crew member authorized on the license, but may not set more than 600 additional crab pots, regardless of the number of crew members, and may not set more than 900 pots per boat.    (c)    (1)    After August 31, 1994, an authorization granted under subsection (b) of this section to employ one or two additional crew members and thereby fish additional crab pots, shall be valid until the license is transferred, revoked by the Department or relinquished voluntarily by the licensee.        (2)    An authorization granted under subsection (b) of this section may be transferred to another licensee separately from the original crab harvester license or tidal fish license in any valid transfer under Subtitle 7 of this title.    (d)    (1)    The Department shall determine the total number of additional crew authorizations granted under subsection (b) of this section.        (2)    When a license is revoked or voluntarily relinquished, the Department may award the unused crew authorization to another licensee under criteria and procedures to be promulgated as regulations by the Department, provided that the number of crew authorizations in use may not exceed the total number granted under subsection (b) of this section as of August 31, 1994.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-815 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-815 - Prohibition on Bank Traps and Channel Pounds in St. Mary's County

    In St. Mary’s County, a person may not harvest crabs with a bank trap or a channel pound after October 1, 2000.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-816 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 8 - Crabs|Section 4-816 - Nonnative Crab Restrictions

    The Department may adopt regulations to limit or prohibit the importation, use, catching, or possessing of the following nonnative crab species, which are determined to be harmful to the ecology and natural resources of the State:         (1)    Green crab (Carcinus maenas) of the family Portunidae;        (2)    Japanese shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) of the family Grapsidae; and        (3)    Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) of the family Grapsidae.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-901 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 9 - Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch|Section 4-901 - Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Lobster

    (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. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-902 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 9 - Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch|Section 4-902 - Taking or Possessing Diamondback Terrapin for Commercial Purposes

    (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. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-903 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 9 - Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch|Section 4-903 - Regulations Pertaining to Diamondback Terrapin Conservation

    The Department shall adopt regulations governing the conservation of diamondback terrapin.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-906 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 9 - Lobster, Shrimp, Terrapin, and Conch|Section 4-906 - License to Catch Conch

    A person may not catch conch for commercial purposes unless the person first obtains a license from the Department.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-1101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 11 - Oyster and Clam Culture|Section 4-1101 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Chesapeake Bay” means the waters, commonly known as the Chesapeake Bay, as defined by the charts of the Oyster Survey of 1906 to 1912, and its amendments.    (c)    “County waters” means the waters lying within the territorial limits of any county in the State as defined by the charts of the Oyster Survey of 1906 to 1912, and its amendments.    (d)    “Dredge” includes any dredge, scoop, handscrape, or similar device used in catching oysters and clams by dragging.    (e)    “Hydraulic clam dredge” means any device used for dredging clams which consists of a manifold through which water is forced under pressure for the purpose of digging clams and working them into the mouth of the dredge where the clams then are brought up to boat level by means of an escalator. “Hydraulic clam dredge” includes the vessel on which the dredge is carried.    (f)    “Leased oyster bottom” means any land lying beneath the waters of the State leased by the State to any person for the purpose of protecting, sowing, bedding, or cultivating oysters and other shellfish.    (g)    “Marketable oyster” means an oyster measuring 3 inches or more from hinge to mouth.    (h)    “Natural clam bar” means any area of submerged tidal bottom not classified as a natural oyster bar which has a population of clams of any species judged by the Secretary to have significant commercial value.    (i)    “Natural oyster bar” means any submerged oyster bar, reef, rock, or area represented as an oyster bar on the charts of the Oyster Survey of 1906 to 1912 and its amendments.    (j)    “Patent tongs” means any pincers, nippers, tongs, or similar device used to catch oysters or clams and raised with rope, cable, or other hoisting gear.    (k)    “Shinnecock rake” means a tool used to catch hard–shell clams or oysters that:        (1)    Is towed from a vessel under power; and        (2)    Consists of a tooth bar with projecting long, outwardly and upwardly curving teeth which are progressively smaller toward the ends, form a basket, and are set transversely at the end of a long, usually wooden handle.    (l)    “Tong” means any pincers, nippers, tongs, or similar device operated entirely by hand and consisting of two shafts or handles and a metal body composed of two opposable and complementary baskets used in catching oysters and clams.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-1102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 11 - Oyster and Clam Culture|Section 4-1102 - Submerged Area

    (a)    The Department may resurvey any submerged area of the State to determine the position and extent of any natural oyster bar.    (b)    If, after conducting a survey in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the Department finds that any natural oyster bar is located incorrectly on existing charts or that the existing charts do not reflect the actual condition of submerged lands, the Department shall amend the existing charts or coordinates by regulation.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-1103.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 11 - Oyster and Clam Culture|Section 4-1103.1 - Oyster Seed Areas in Potomac River From Cornfield Point to Point Lookout

    The Department shall enter into an agreement with the Potomac River Fisheries Commission to establish oyster seed areas in the Potomac River from Cornfield Point to Point Lookout for the purpose of propagating seed oysters to replenish natural oyster bars in Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s counties, and other areas of the State.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-1105 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 11 - Oyster and Clam Culture|Section 4-1105 - Catching Oysters in Closed or Reserved Areas

    A person may not catch oysters on any area closed or reserved for propagation of oyster seed under the provisions of this subtitle. This section does not prohibit the Department from catching oysters.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-1107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 11 - Oyster and Clam Culture|Section 4-1107 - Department May Cooperate With County or Political Subdivision Providing Funds for Oyster Cultivation

    The Department may cooperate with any county or political subdivision providing funds to purchase and plant shells and transplant seed oysters. The appropriate governing body of any county or political subdivision that expends funds for this purpose may designate the planting areas for the purchased shells.
MD. Natural Resources Code Ann. §  4-1118.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Natural Resources|Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries|Subtitle 11 - Oyster and Clam Culture|Section 4-1118.1 - Destroying Natural Oyster Bars

    (a)    Except for normal harvesting activities, the dredging and transplanting of oyster shell or seed oysters as part of the Department’s Oyster Propagation Program, or as authorized in a State wetlands license, a person may not destroy, damage, or injure any oyster bar, reef, rock, or other area located on a natural oyster bar in the Chesapeake Bay that is not a leased oyster bottom.    (b)    Any person who destroys, damages, or injures any oyster bar, reef, rock, or other area referred to in subsection (a) of this section is liable to the State in a civil action, as the Department considers appropriate, for the restoration of, mitigation of, or monetary damages for any destruction, damage, or injury that the person causes to resources on the natural oyster bar.