Chair: William L. Rice, Sr., Maryland, 2001
Maryland members appointed by Governor to 4-year terms: Paul H. Kellam III, 1999; John T. Parran, 2001.
Ex officio: Sarah J. Taylor-Rogers, Ph.D., designee of Secretary of Natural Resources
Kirby A. Carpenter, Executive Secretary
P. O. Box 9222
Taylor St.
Colonial Beach, VA 22443 - 9222
(804) 224-7148
1-800-266-3904 (toll free)
The Potomac River Fisheries Commission operates under the Maryland-Virginia Compact of 1958, authorized by Congress. Maryland ratified the Compact in 1959 (Chapter 269, Acts of 1959). The Commission is a semi-autonomous agency, but its work and policies are coordinated closely with the Resource Assessment Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Marine Resources Commission of Virginia. Fishery agencies of both states provide law enforcement on the Potomac River for the Commission.
The Potomac River Fisheries Commission works to conserve and improve seafood resources of the Potomac River. The Commission regulates and licenses fisheries and the dredging of soft-shell clams in the Potomac River. The Commission receives proceeds from the sale of crab, oyster, fish and clam licenses, and an oyster inspection tax. Annually, each state appropriates $150,000 to Commission work.
The Commission's eight members include four from Maryland, and four from Virginia. Maryland members are the Secretary of Natural Resources or designee and three persons named to four-year terms by the Governor (Code Natural Resources Article, sec. 4-306).
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