MD SB875

Establishes a 5-year rotational harvest pilot program for oysters in four designated Chesapeake Bay areas: Lower Choptank River, Lower Main Stem Chesapeake Bay, Herring Bay, and Lower Chester River

Requires the Department of Natural Resources to open different oyster bars on a rotating schedule from the 2026–2027 through 2030–2031 oyster seasons, with bars reopening after a 3-year rest period

Mandates that tidal fish licensees who harvest oysters under the program replace oyster shells on the bar in an amount equal to the bushels caught

Requires the Department to collect baseline data on water quality, habitat quality, silt/sediment, aquatic vegetation, and diseased oysters before opening areas, and continue monitoring after areas close

Department must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1, 2031; the program automatically sunsets on June 30, 2032