Maryland commercial fishermen recently began harvesting oysters in the first phase of the state’s six-month oyster season. Only hand tonging, patent tonging and diving are permitted in October. Power dredging season begins on Nov. 1, when harvest activity rises dramatically.
Last season was a good one for Maryland’s watermen, who harvested a total of 422,382 bushels with a dockside value of $14 million. The 2013-2014 harvest was highest in at least 15 years.
The 2013 Fall Oyster Survey indicated that the oyster population is continuing to increase, more than doubling since 2010 to reach its highest point since this type of monitoring began in 1985.
Maryland has 1,100 licensed oyster harvesters.
source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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