VMRC Delays New Crab Regulations until May 2009

[jack1747]

NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has decided to postpone
action on proposed 2009 crab regulations until May.
A series of commercial crab regulations scheduled for a public hearing on April 28 will be
delayed for a month as fishery managers prepare additional regulatory options for consideration
by the nine-member Commission.


Read it all -> http://www.mrc.state.va.us/news_releases/nr_VMRC-Crab-Regs-Delayed_04-13-09.pdf

[jack1747]

At that time, the Commission will consider whether to:
• Close the winter crab dredge season and again prohibit a practice in which commercial
crabbers dig up hibernating, pregnant female crabs, from December to March.
• Relax a currently required 30 percent reduction in crab pots per license (based on 2007
license limits) to a less stringent 15-20 percent reduction.
• Enact daily bushel limits at different times of the season or to adjust season closing dates.
• Hold a commercial crabber responsible if his authorized agent who works those crab pots
is convicted of repeated crab conservation violations in a 12-month period. The proposal
calls for a Commission license revocation hearing for the license holder and for the agent
to be barred from serving as an agent for a year.
• Reinstate a five-pot recreational crab license that was suspended last year as part of the
agency’s crab population rebuilding program

[Crabslayer]

Something is telling me that they aren't going to be honest with the results of the WDS.  They'll probably gloss over it saying that while the WDS has shown some marked improvement there is still work to be done.  I believe the results will actually show a larger number then what will be published.  Why else would they consider reinstating the 5 pot license?!