2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 4 - Fish and Fisheries › Subtitle 7 - Licensing, Regulation, and Supervision of Fishing and Fisheries in Tidal Waters › Section 4-713 - Use of Haul Seines Generally

(a)    A person who fishes with haul seine equipment shall possess a tidal fish license to catch finfish.
(b)    Haul seines shall be limited to a depth or width of 15 feet graduating to a width of 22 feet at the bunt or back. A haul seine may not have a length of its bunt or back greater than 100 feet, which is a “hung” measure.
(c)    A person may not use a seine exceeding 50 feet in length and 5 feet in width to catch minnows in the tidal waters of the State.
(d)    If the haul seine is used in the Chesapeake Bay, the length of brail line used on either end of the haul seine may not exceed 1500 feet. If the haul seine is used in the rivers and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, the maximum length of brail line may not exceed 750 feet.
(e)    A person may not drag or haul any seine with two or more vessels or boats propelled by power, or use any haul seine more than 1800 feet in length. A power winch anchored in a vessel or boat, not propelled by power, may be used if the winch boat is anchored in 4 feet depth of water or less.
(f)    A person may not empty a seine on the shore or beach, or in any water less than 12 inches deep so as to leave the small fish to perish. A person always shall empty the seine in waters of sufficient depth to enable the small fish to return to the waters for growth.
(g)    A person may not haul any seine in waters covering leased oyster ground unless the permission of the lessee is obtained.
(h)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, a person may not fish with a haul seine during the period from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until sunrise on Monday in the tidal waters of the State.
(2)    (i)    In Baltimore County and Harford County, on prior notification to the Department a person may catch carp during the period from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until sunrise on Monday, except in areas where it is prohibited by the Department.
(ii)    Except in areas where it is prohibited by the Department, a person may set a haul seine at a distance greater than one–third the distance across a river, creek, cove, or inlet in any of the tributary waters of Baltimore County or Harford County only to catch carp and catfish, notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle regarding the distance across which a haul seine may be set. A person may not set the haul seine to impede or obstruct navigation or block in any way the main channel of the river, creek, cove, or inlet. Any person who catches fish of a variety other than carp or catfish in any haul seine shall return them immediately to the water unharmed. A person always shall attend a haul seine for catching carp or catfish. Any person whose haul seine is found more than one–third the distance across the waters where it is set without a person in attendance is guilty of violating this subsection.
(iii)    The Department, by regulation:
1.    Shall establish procedures for the prior notification required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and
2.    May prohibit fishing for carp and catfish in certain areas as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.
(3)    (i)    In Kent County, on prior notification to the Department, a person may catch gizzard shad, also known as mud shad, carp, or catfish, with a haul seine during the period from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until sunrise on Monday.
(ii)    The Department, by regulation, shall establish procedures for the prior notification required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
(4)    If a haul seine is set on a Friday, a person may empty that haul seine during the period from 12:01 a.m. on the following Saturday until sunrise on the following Monday if the person provides the Natural Resources Police with:
(i)    A notification before 11:59 p.m. on Friday that the person will be emptying the haul seine between 12:01 a.m. on the following Saturday and sunrise the following Monday;
(ii)    The location of the haul seine that will be emptied; and
(iii)    Contact information for the tidal fish licensee who is responsible for the haul seine.