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.15 Crabbing Charters
Rules for paid crabbing trips. Guides need federal licenses and a crabbing charter decal on the vessel. Commercial guides can carry customers and sell catch to dealers. Charter (recreational) trips: follow recreational rules, no female crabs from Chesapeake, max 2 bushels males + 2 dozen soft/peelers per trip, can't sell the catch. Decal exempts customers from needing individual licenses.
A. This regulation applies to any trip to catch crabs offered by a tidal fish licensee to an individual or individuals for any form of compensation. B. Any individual receiving compensation for any trip to catch crabs shall possess the appropriate federal licenses. C. A licensed fishing guide or master fishing guide with a valid commercial crabbing authorization: (1) May carry customers during a commercial crabbing trip; (2) Shall follow all commercial crabbing rules; (3) May not count customers as crew members; (4) May sell catch to a seafood dealer or, if licensed as a dealer, to a customer; (5) Shall report catch per COMAR 08.02.13.06; and (6) Shall be penalized per COMAR 08.02.13.03. D. Crabbing Charters. (1) "Crabbing charter" — any guided trip for catching crabs recreationally, offered by a licensed fishing guide or master fishing guide. (2) Crabbing Charter Decal required — permanently affixed to vessel, not transferable, exempts all aboard from individual recreational license, valid for current license year. (3) Requirements: must be offered by licensed guide, at least one customer aboard, no female hard crabs or peelers from Chesapeake, must follow recreational rules. (4) Crabs caught on charter may not be sold. (5) Catch Limit: max two bushels of male hard crabs and two dozen soft/peeler crabs per charter trip. (6) Reporting required on Department forms. (7) Violations penalized per COMAR 08.02.13.08.