HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1741

(A)  The Department may supervise, regulate, and
control catching eels in the tidal waters of the State. In
exercising this power, the Department may prescribe the
areas within and methods by which eels may be caught.

(B)  A PERSON MAY NOT CATCH EELS IN THE TIDAL WATERS OF
THIS STATE WORCESTER COUNTY FOR COMMERCIAL SALE OR TRADE
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING A LICENSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT

(C)  AN APPLICANT FOR A LICENSE UNDER THIS SECTION

SHALL:

(1)  HAVE RESIDED WITHIN THIS STATE FOR 12 MONTHS
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING APPLICATION; OR

(2)  RESIDE IN A STATE THAT EXTENDS RECIPROCAL
EEL FISHING PRIVILEGES TO MARYLAND RESIDENTS.

(D)  AN APPLICANT SHALL:

(1)  APPLY FOR A COMMERCIAL EEL FISHING LICENSE
ON A FORM SUPPLIED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND

(2)  FURNISH INFORMATION THAT THE DEPARTMENT
REQUIRES TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY.

(E)  EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS
SECTION, THE ANNUAL FEE FOR A COMMERCIAL EEL LICENSE IS:

(1) $50 FOR A STATE RESIDENT; OR

(2) FOR A RESIDENT OF ANOTHER STATE THAT EXTENDS
EEL FISHING PRIVILEGES TO MARYLAND RESIDENTS THE GREATER OF:

(I)  $250 $500; OR

(II)  THE FEE PAID BY A MARYLAND RESIDENT
FOR AN EQUIVALENT, RECIPROCAL EEL FISHING LICENSE IN THE
OTHER STATE.

(F)  A PERSON WHO HOLDS A COMMERCIAL TROT LINE LICENSE
IS NOT REQUIRED TO PAY THE ANNUAL FEE FOR A COMMERCIAL EEL
LICENSE IF THE PERSON OPERATES 50 POTS OR LESS FOR THAT
PERSON'S PERSONAL USE.

(G)  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS
CONCERNING COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR EELS BY AREA, GEAR,
SEASON, SIZE, AND REPORTING OF CATCH.

(G) (H) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS LICENSED TO CATCH EELS
UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL MAKE CATCH REPORTS, AS PRESCRIBED
BY RULE OR REGULATION, ON FORMS PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.