Relaying Oysters For Commercial Harvest Private Oyster Lease Holders Details


Relaying Oysters For Commercial Harvest Private Oyster Lease Holders

General Info - Statewide License

Oysters, clams, or mussels transplanted from a polluted to a clean environment will cleanse themselves of the polluting bacteria or viruses. This cleansing ability is a phenomenon of the shellfish feeding process. The time required for this cleansing is influenced by many factors, including the original level of pollution, water temperature, salinity, and presence of chemicals inhibitory to physiological activity of shellfish. To protect public health and to make good use of a valuable natural resource, approval from Maryland Department of the Environment, the Department, is required. 

  • 1 uses

    Number of uses

  • - s

    Approval time

  • $0.00

    Application cost

Obtaining the License

Ready to get your license? - Steps, Requirements, and Documents

  1. The applicant shall request in writing to the Department for permission to relay shellfish from polluted water to approved waters for the purpose of natural cleaning. The letter of application shall specify:

    1. Name, address and phone number of the applicant.

    2. The approximate number of bushels to be relayed and the approximate beginning and ending date of the relaying operation.

    3. The type of gear to be used to relay shellstock. The name and address of the private leaseholder owning the leased grounds from which the shellstock is relayed.

    4. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) identification number for the private lease from which the shellstock will be relayed.

    5. Name, address and phone number of the owner of the leased ground to which the shellstock is relayed.

Apply for the License

  • Online Application

    Complete the form

    Apply Now

Agency/Contact

License Issuer - Information

Who issues the license?

Maryland Department of Environment

Contact Information

Shellfish Certification Section Public Health Division Water and Science Administration

Tel: (410) 537-3906

Address

Address: 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD, 21230

Legal Authority

What laws and regulations give Maryland Department of Environment the legal authority to issue this approval?

STATE: Natural Resources Article, Title 4, Subtitle 1006.