Wicomico County amends Right to Farm law to include commercial seafood operations

Wicomico County Council voted unanimously April 1 to adopt legislative bill 2025-04, amending chapter 186 of the county code to recognize the “right to conduct a commercial seafood operation” and to add seafood matters to the existing Right to Farm reconciliation committee.

The bill, introduced by County Attorney Kevin Benson on behalf of sponsor Council member Wynne, uses the existing Right to Farm Act framework to avoid creating a separate committee. Benson told the council the measure was submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and that the department “did not have any objections” to the county moving forward.

Why it matters: the change formalizes protections and notice requirements for aquaculture and commercial seafood businesses in county code and provides a local process for reconciling agricultural and seafood operation disputes through the county’s established committee rather than creating a separate body.

Public comment in support came from Captain Joe Laffin, who identified himself as a Wicomico County resident and Westside Community Task Force chairman and described local seafood operations as a shrinking but vital trade. “It does give us assurance that, we're able to farm and also do, not only farm, but also do the aquaculture and seafood industry as well,” Laffin said during the public hearing.

Council procedure and vote: after the public hearing the council moved, seconded and conducted a roll-call vote. Councilman Holloway, Councilman Hastings, Councilwoman Shields, Vice President Merritt and the Chair each voted aye; the bill passed unanimously.

Next steps: the bill takes effect per local law. Records show the county followed the state review requirement by forwarding the draft to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources before final action.