In 2009, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed legislation overhauling Maryland’s shellfish leasing program for the first time in 103 years. The sweeping legislation and subsequent regulatory changes expanded the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) authority to issue submerged land leases for cultivating shellfish directly on the seafloor in Maryland by removing geographic restrictions, acreage caps and other barriers to industry growth. Under this new framework, DNR resumed accepting applications for submerged land leases on September 7, 2010. At the same time, the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industries Development Corporation launched a shellfish aquaculture lending program funded by NOAA Blue Crab Disaster Funds provided to the state. In July 2011, the shellfish aquaculture leasing program was consolidated and reorganized by moving the sole authority to grant water column leases from the Maryland Department of the Environment and Board of Public Works to a newly created Aquaculture Division within DNR, creating a “one-stop shop” for shellfish leasing in Maryland. Shellfish aquaculture leasing expanded to include areas of oyster sanctuaries in 2011, subject to compatibility with restoration efforts. The state’s online Shellfish Aquaculture Siting Tool was launched in 2012. This presentation summarizes shellfish aquaculture production in Maryland since the 2009 leasing reform and discusses successes and setbacks the industry has experienced in the past 15 years.