New Ocean City Shark Fishing Ordinance

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 106, ENTITLED WATERWAYS,
OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF OCEAN CITY, THAT CHAPTER 106 OF THE
CODE OF THE TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND BE, AND IT IS HEREBY
AMENDED, BY ADDING SECTIONS 106- 133, 106- 134 AND 106- 135, AS
FOLLOWS:
Sec. 106- 133. Fishing by chumming or blood -baiting.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fish by utilizing those methods
commonly known as ” chumming” or “blood -baiting” by said person or in
concert with others, from the beach or within 600 feet from the beach, at
any time of the year.
Sec. 106- 134. Fishing by means other than by casting.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fish by utilizing a baited hook sent
into the ocean by means of propulsion or by transporting the baited hook
into the ocean by means of a water vessel, at any time of the year.
Sec. 106-135. Violations and penalties.
Any person who violates any provision of this division shall, upon
conviction, be guilty of a municipal infraction and be subject to a fine of
not more than $ 1, 000.00.
INTRODUCED at a meeting of the City Council of Ocean City, Maryland
held on August 15, 2016.
ADOPTED AND PASSED, as an emergency Ordinance by the required
vote of the elected membership of the City Council and -approved by the Mayor at
its meeting held on August 15, 2016.

____________________________________________________

According to the town of City Manager, Kelly Allmond, DNR told them they can regulate their own beaches in this case.  You can still fish for sharks in Ocean City, you just have to cast your baits.  Boats have to be at least six hundred feet away form the beach.  Personally I don’t think it is a good idea to go shark fishing on a beach that is normally used for swimming.   That is just asking for trouble, but some were seeking attention and now they got it.  Plenty of room at Assateague Island to shark fish from the surf in Maryland without bothering anyone.  Granted sharks live in the ocean, but people who do not understand that will assume that fishing for them attracts them tot he swimming beaches.

Fish On!!

Rich King

Shark Fishing In Delaware … The Rules Clarified