ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services announces the closure in Somerset County of the Evans Oyster Bar to oyster harvesting effective Oct. 1, 2022.

This closure is necessary to protect spat-on-shell planted by the Somerset County Oyster Committee on this site, until the site is suitable for reopening. This closure was requested by the Somerset County Oyster Committee. This area was previously managed as a Harvest Reserve Area. The department repealed the Harvest Reserve Area regulations (COMAR 08.02.04.13 and .14), effective September 5, 2022.

Specifically, the area closed is all the waters of Tangier Sound enclosed by a line beginning at a point defined by Lat. 38°12.347' N, Long. 75°54.217' W, then running 316° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°12.685' N, Long. 75°54.627' W, then running 80° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°12.781' N, Long. 75°53.945' W, then running 74° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°12.829' N, Long. 75°53.731' W, then running 106° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°12.708' N, Long. 75°53.180' W, then running 228° True to a point at or near Lat. 38°12.401' N, Long. 75°53.608' W, then running 264° True to the point of beginning.

For more information contact Fishing and Boating Services at 410-260-8302.