Keep crabbing like there is no population problem!!

[Seahawk]

Okay I'm brand new to here but I've been reading for a few hours everything written.  I've been crabbing with my Uncle since I was a little boy(now 30).  I still enjoy a little recreational crabbing now and again.  I feel that at this point nothing is going to get done to improve current conditions by the people in power.  So to that affect I say that I hope the crab population keeps declining and fast!!  Now before you send me mail threatening my life hear me out.  I want nothing more to see the water back to its once majestic beauty and NATURAL state.  But at the rate lawmakers and the general population of people are acting apon it it ain't a priority.  So if suddenly there werent enough crabs to sustain the multi-million(billion) dollar business then what do you think would happen?  If people had to start paying 150 dollars for a dozen crabs I bet they would be willing to change their ways.  If the commercial crabber couldn't catch enough crabs to stay in business then we could see the lawmakers sit up and take notice.  I guess what I'm trying to say is if it is going to take the crabbing industry collapsing to get the waters restored and crabbing to be regulated sensibly then I hope the industry goes under very soon.  Although I hate to think about all those dependent on the water for their livelyhood suffering, I think something has drastic has to happen before people will be willing to change.  I'd rather do without a crab to eat for two or three years than see things stay the way they are.  Wouldn't it be better to go without for a short time in order for your children and grandchildren to enjoy the water the way it should be.  I love fishing and crabbing the water but would love it more once the water is restored to its former self.  Because then the fishing and crabbing would be much better and we would have learned not to let it ever get to that point again.

[Crabslayer]

Developers and big business hold the power.  It's called the allmighty dollar!  

[kingcrabber]

..couldn't agree with you more,Slayer ....in the end its always the "little"guy,scraping along to make a living who gets it in the neck

[Crabslayer]

Hey all, it runs deeper then the dollar and that is just scratching the surface.  Over the years I have attended public forums held by varying agencies.  Most of it is lip service because the deed is already done behind closed doors, but they have to go through the motions (just like the job posting where the position is already filled.)  But, I would not give up.  One day the tide will turn once the politicians see where the true source of revenue comes from!

[jack1747]

Seahawk,  you need to define where you are talking about.  I agree that its past time for changes is the Chesapeake but down where Ran_c is would be a whole different basket of crabs.

 

[Seahawk]

I am talking about the Chesapeake and its tributaries.

[Crabslayer]

So Seahawk, what are you going to do to change it?  Just remember the Boston Tea Party.  It's gotta start somwhere!

[Seahawk]

I have called Hoyer in Annapolis, written letters to the govenor and and tried to get an ear in power to understand. So at this point I'm willing to do anything including giving up crabbing and fishing for a few years.  

[kingcrabber]

Kristie..just because someone doesn't read or is not a member of the forum does NOT give them the right to plead ignorance ..with all the paraphernalia(sp)...literature and coverage thru the media(newspapers,radoi,TV)on the problems concerning the bay and its habitat,that excuse ain't cutting it ..so when I see someone keeping crabs that are illegal,or anyone doing something unlawful,I will"drop a dime"on the pinheads ...and I'm not one to "cry wolf"but enough is enough.....i would like to go crabbin every year until the Lord says its time for me to go,and know that when I'm gone,the next generation will have the opportunity to do the same....sorry if I seem a little out of balance with this reply,but that really hit a nerve......

[Crabslayer]

I don't think closing the season for a couple of years is necessary.  What I do think would help is a limit imposed on commercial harvests just like the recs have.  Only one county in MD has a commercial daily limit and that is set at twenty five bushels.  If the commercial oysterman has a limit, then what is wrong with the commercial crabber having a limit?  Supply and demand is the economics of any business, but when it comprises of natural resources that are a public resource there should be a balance.  If not, our kids and their kids will be left holding the bag.  With nothing in it I might add.

[kingcrabber]

Hey kristie..wasn't mad at you young lady,not at all ...what i meant was that I've run across those types of people that you described who try to justify their actions with that ignorance of the regulations [curd]...I feel like knockin' the snot outta them.... ..see?,just the mention of those pinheads gets my blood boilin'

[bob]

The point I was trying to get across was that all of us on here, and by us, I mean Us regulars that post more than just once a week....

Kristie, some of us who regularly visit this forum don't have the time to post as much as you do.  I often also feel that there is not much more that I can add to a discussion-  Bob

[Joe Crabs]

Kristie, what flavor ice cream do you like.

[jack1747]

Nobodies a regular until they been thru a couple of winters here

I said this b4 and I'll say it again.  They ought to pass a law that says nobody but water front property owners are aloud to fish and crab.

[kingcrabber]

ooooh,my main man Jack...ya cut me deep,bub,ya cuts me deep

[madcrab]

  I said this b4 and I'll say it again...WHOA NELLY!!

[Joe Crabs]

Jack, you cutting in on Crabslayer and want a fee too.

[Seahawk]

I understand that to many people,be they old timers or not, are unwilling to change thats part of the reason I wish it would get to the point where they no longer have a choice.  
Maybe my view is extreme but I want the waters to be taken care of for all future generations.  And since no one can agree where when or how to start something has got to give.
My Uncle is one of those old timers but after a few years of the current conditions I've managed to get him to understand the problems.  He just feels that for 60yrs he's taken from the water and didn't really understand that it was the fault of others that caused the problems.  He had to be talked through run off and sewage problems, he just didn't realize where the problem came from just that it was no a problem he was stuck paying for.  So don't blame the attitudes of the "old timers" take the time to explain the situation in a manner they can be comfortable with and not have to feel defensive.  Believe me it can work wonders!

[Joe Crabs]

Well Seahawk, I understand your frustration, but I have to disagree with you on a few points. I don't want it to get to the extreme for the simple reason that may be too late.   We do have a habit of destroying things so they never are the same again.   Fix it before you get in that situation. Second yeah there may be a few old timers that are that naive, but it all comes back to our basic human nature, Selfishness and Greed. And we use any excuse we can to justify that. A couple of crabs won't make a difference. The other guy is doing it. The commercial guys take 10's of thousands of females and on and on. And the govt. will decide what is best for their own pockets. They don't care about you, the commercial crabber or the bluecrab as long as they fill their pockets or get votes. Thats all that matters to them. I mean how much is enough, one bushel , two, six. I think the regulations are more than reasonable for recreational crabbers (2 bushel max per boat with 2 licenses.), 8 - 10 dz crabs will feed alot of people. Why does someone need 4 or 6 bushels if he is not selling, legally. And when crabbing is good and demand is low, it is not smart to over crab and drive the prices down to increase the demand to meet the supply for almost the same profit as if you would meet the demand at the higher prices. That is overharvesting. You can make a difference and it starts with one. Practice what you preach and use your vote and you will see laws change for better protection that is the only way. Or stop buying;)

And be careful what you wish for, you may get it not like the results.