HB315 Summary

• Establishes oyster management stations as designated ports of entry for commercial oyster harvesting from public reefs, with requirements for harvesters to check out and check in at these stations.

• Requires commercial oyster catchers to maintain oyster harvest records while transporting oysters from public reefs and water bottoms, with records subject to inspection by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or Department of Public Health agents.

• Updates oyster culling standards and culling violation thresholds, allowing the Commissioner to reduce legal oyster size to 2⅝ inches with specified tolerances for undersized oysters and dead shells under certain conditions.

• Creates a shell fee system charged per sack to seafood dealers purchasing oysters directly from harvesters; establishes an oyster management fund for replanting cultch material and managing oyster resources on public reefs.

• Increases criminal penalties for violations, establishing fined amounts between $100-$500 for various offenses and suspending commercial oyster licenses for six months upon third conviction within two years; repeals five obsolete code sections.