Maryland To Buy Back LCC'S

[gc9169]

By Timothy B. Wheeler
 
Baltimore Sun reporter
 
2:04 PM EDT, July 9, 2009
E-mail Print Vote
State officials offered today to buy back more than half of all the commercial crab licenses held by Marylanders in a bid to protect the Chesapeake Bay's iconic crustacean as it recovers from a near-disastrous decline.
The Department of Natural Resources announced it is willing to buy back up to 3,676 "limited crab catcher" licenses, which allow holders to fish with up to 50 wire-mesh "pots" or an unlimited amount of baited line. The department mailed letters to all license holders giving them until July 31 to submit bids specifying the amount they'd be willing to take for their permits.

Tom O'Connell, state fisheries director, said the voluntary buy-back would be paid for out of $10 million in federal disaster-relief funds the state received last year to help crabbers whose incomes had been hurt by catch restrictions imposed to rebuild the bay's crab population. He would not say how much the state has allotted for the buyback, though, saying that might influence the bidding process.

State officials say the buy-back is being tried to safeguard the bay's crab population from a sudden surge in fishing activity as it recovers from dangerously low levels. The commercial catch was restricted and ended early last fall to help rebuild the crab numbers. A survey last winter found there had been a significant rebound in adult crabs in the bay, but young crabs still remained below normal.

There are about 6,000 commercial crab licenses in the state, but only about 1,800 of those are actively fished, according to state officials. The state attempted last winter to "freeze" about 1,000 of those licenses for which no harvest had been reported in five years, but an outcry from license holders -- many of them elderly -- prompted the state to reconsider.

O'Connell said the state would decide how many licenses to buy back by Aug. 15, after which it still plans to impose new restrictions on any remaining inactive license holders. State officials are eyeing limiting previously inactive holders of the limited crab catcher license to harvesting only male crabs, he said, or barring them from transferring the permits. The licenses cost $60 a year, but are automatically renewable and may be transferred at will.

[Seaweed]

So how much are they offering?

[Summertop]

Bend over.

[Seaweed]

Eggxactery!

So you say you're selling your's then?

[Crab Nabber]

got my letter today, you make them an offer, and if you submit a bid it is irrevocable! if i were going to do it I would want 250 large for mine!

[Seaweed]

250?

[Seaweed]

got my letter today, you make them an offer, and if you submit a bid it is irrevocable! if i were going to do it I would want 250 large for mine!

So they either take it, or if they don't, you can never sell it back to them?

Everyone bid high!

[ChrisS]

If Im not mistaken, they have about 5 million between 3676 lcc holders, which comes to about 1300.00 per license.

[jack1747]

If Im not mistaken, they have about 5 million between 3676 lcc holders, which comes to about 1300.00 per license.

I'll give ya 2000.00 

[big red]

what a bunch of poo.  That  10 million dollars was specifically declared for the peeler and soft crab industry. this shows that the DNR has its own agenda waterman will not receive 5% of the federal money
 If the feds decide to allocate money for a specific industry, how is buying unused lic helping the working man

[Dreampixels]

So how much are they offering?

It says they are taking BIDS - tell them what you want.

[Summertop]

So they either take it, or if they don't, you can never sell it back to them?

Everyone bid high!

Bid high, but those that are latent or just reported a few bushels are stupid if they don't get out now. According to my letter they are looking to get back 2,000 licenses with the stipulation that those that are latent are basically going to get the shaft after the buy back process.

[antman]

Bid high, but those that are latent or just reported a few bushels are stupid if they don't get out now. According to my letter they are looking to get back 2,000 licenses with the stipulation that those that are latent are basically going to get the shaft after the buy back process.

That's what I see as well ST

They WILL put the licences out of commission......this is just a last chance for those that haven't reported to get something for them. 
In the letter I got it said something about the owners of the lic. with no reported catches will have to choose between catching only males and not being able to leave the license to a family member when you die .... OR .....allowing the license to be "frozen" until the crab population "recovers" and then the license will be activated again.....

[Crabbyd]

That's what I see as well ST

They WILL put the licences out of commission......this is just a last chance for those that haven't reported to get something for them. 
In the letter I got it said something about the owners of the lic. with no reported catches will have to choose between catching only males and not being able to leave the license to a family member when you die .... OR .....allowing the license to be "frozen" until the crab population "recovers" and then the license will be activated again.....

That's what mine said also.  Either sell it to them now (if latent) or make a hard choice later.....

this is also going to make it interesting for present and future transfers.  Buyer beware......

[Crabslayer]

this is also going to make it interesting for present and future transfers.  Buyer beware......

Lawsuits...maybe? 

[frankwyte4]

sounds like its pretty clear they are going to do something.  As long as they have the argument that its in the best interest of the fishery they will get what they want eventually.  Sell it back now or suffer any regulations they are planning to enact in the future..

[XXL]

Bid high, but those that are latent or just reported a few bushels are stupid if they don't get out now.
The letter also indicates if your license is considered "Active" or "Inactive". Anyone considered Inactive, may want to think long and hard.

[ChrisS]

Bid high and get rid of it. Just go out and crab recreationally and sell your crabs. Everyone else is doing it anyway. What do you need the license for?

[flounderpounder]

Bid high and get rid of it. Just go out and crab recreationally and sell your crabs. Everyone else is doing it anyway. What do you need the license for?

wow...everyone??   How many rec bushels do you buy every week? Are they nice crabs??

[ChrisS]

This is definitely a topic that does not concern you.

[flounderpounder]

This is definitely a topic that does not concern you.

I am sorry, am I not allowed to post questions in a comm topic?    There is an option for an ignore button also. X

[krabby patty]

removed

[Crabbyd]

If you dont use it, You should loose it. Plain and simple.... Perhaps the state should stop the auto renewal and simply take the unused comm. permits. Its not an divine right to have a commercial permit.

So with your logic, if you decide not to drive this year then you are willing to give up your drivers license? 

[antman]

If you dont use it, You should loose it. Plain and simple.... Perhaps the state should stop the auto renewal and simply take the unused comm. permits. Its not an divine right to have a commercial permit.

Second post and you've got it all figured out

[krabby patty]

removed