Regulators Target Recreational Crabbers

[lreops]

From another source;


washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines

Regulators Target Recreational Crabbers

Netting a blue crab in Crisfield might get a bit more complicated. (By Tim Tadder)

By David A. Fahrenthold
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 16, 2008; Page B02

A traditional birthright of all Marylanders -- the ability to catch a blue crab with a chicken neck, a string and a net -- could soon require a government license, under a proposal unveiled yesterday by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The department wants all recreational crabbers, even those who catch just a single Jimmy crab in a day, to register with the state. It would cost nothing to register, officials said. But it could cost crabbers if they don't: Those caught crabbing without the registration could be subject to undetermined fines.

Today in Maryland, any crabber who catches two dozen or fewer in a day is not required to register with anybody.

But state officials, who are trying to engineer a comeback for the famous Chesapeake Bay crustacean, say that system is handicapping their efforts.

"To manage the crab population effectively, we need to know what's being removed," meaning how many crabs are caught, said Gina Hunt of the Department of Natural Resources. "We cannot do that without knowing who's out there crabbing."

The rule would apply to the Maryland portion of the bay, as well as to such tidal rivers as the Severn and the Patuxent, and to Maryland tributaries of the Potomac River. It would not apply to the Potomac River itself, where fishing is governed by an interstate commission. There, and in Virginia waters, small-scale crabbers still would not need a license.

In Maryland, tackle shop owners said yesterday that the idea -- paperwork required to chicken-neck, or to snatch unsuspecting crabs off an underwater piling -- sounded wrong.

"It doesn't feel like home. It feels like work," said Moses Wells, at Mo's on the Go in Edgewater, near Annapolis. "It's kind of like the bay isn't ours anymore."

Also yesterday, Maryland proposed rules that apply to commercial watermen, including a provision that would temporarily suspend the licenses of watermen who have not harvested crabs since 2004. Both Maryland and Virginia imposed strict new limits on the commercial harvests earlier this year.

The state will accept public comment from Jan. 16 to Feb. 17, including a hearing Jan. 27 on Kent Island on the Eastern Shore. The final decision will be made by the department and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D). Information is available at Welcome to the Department of Natural Resources.

[antman]

Yea, we(MARYLANDER'S) can't run around and hunt and fish without licenses, can't shoot turkery's on sight to share with the Indians, boats have GAS motors now
Times have changed.....get over it people

[madcrabber1113]

Looks like rec. and some com. are being targeted.I never felt like the bay was ours,especially when I get searched with no warrent just because I happen to be in a boat.

[ILLSWIMHOME]

Think the guys crying also complained about the winter dredge? 

[Crabbyd]

Yea, we(MARYLANDER'S) can't run around and hunt and fish without licenses, can't shoot turkery's on sight to share with the Indians, boats have GAS motors now
Times have changed.....get over it people

Tony

I agree with you.  To fix the probelm ALL must pitch in to help.  It was OK last year when the comms got the biggest kick in the gut.

[reds]

Tony

I agree with you.  To fix the probelm ALL must pitch in to help.  It was OK last year when the comms got the biggest kick in the gut.

When you get something free and will help get a handle on harvest, how can it be a burden?

[Crabbyd]

When you get something free and will help get a handle on harvest, how can it be a burden?

And you can do it right from your computer....just like logging into the BCA 

[mdjohn]

FREE ---- YEA SURE

remember when the salt water license was $2 and they said it was to cover the cost of record keeping and it won't go up -- BS

politicians don't know free except for themselves

[antman]

FREE ---- YEA SURE

remember when the salt water license was $2 and they said it was to cover the cost of record keeping and it won't go up -- BS

OK, now a "salt water license" is $15. 

Even if they charged you $30 a year for a crab license that would allow you to take a bushel of crabs 6 days a week valued at $150 a bushel(easy).....

What's your point


Tony

[captaincrab55]

FREE ---- YEA SURE

remember when the salt water license was $2 and they said it was to cover the cost of record keeping and it won't go up -- BS

politicians don't know free except for themselves

mdjohn,   Our wonderful Govenor at that time  (was it Hughes)  claimed the money collected was going to help the Rock make a come-back...   He also claimed the license would be discontinued when the Rock rebounded...   My Daddy said he was a Liar...    Yep,   Daddy was right again....       

[mdjohn]

Like the Maryland motto goes-----

If you can think of it --- we can tax it.

I'm sure Gov. O'money will have no problem spending the money 

[mdjohn]

OK, now a "salt water license" is $15. 

Even if they charged you $30 a year for a crab license that would allow you to take a bushel of crabs 6 days a week valued at $150 a bushel(easy).....

What's your point


Tony

we were talking about the "free" license for the right to crab and keep up to 2 doz but if you want the bushel you gotta buy a license.

and the argument above doesn't make much sense.

you assume a maximum catch but ignore the cost of the boat, supplies, licensing etc etc. THEN you end up catching 10 crabs once every two weeks when you can go.

The MEGA MILLION lotto "allows me" to get 212 million dollars and I "pay" to get that money very often and so far I haven't gotten shet.   

[stuff]

they are doing the same thing in delaware  but they might register you when you buy your license  not sure yet

[antman]

you assume a maximum catch but ignore the cost of the boat, supplies, licensing etc etc. THEN you end up catching 10 crabs once every two weeks when you can go.

As far as "expenses"....that's your problem, you have to pay to play...

If you do go on a regular basis and can only muster 10 crabs per outing..........you should take up something else

The "free" license is a way to get an idea as to how many recs there actually are.....and if it leads to fees, so be it, it's a step towards accountability.

Tony

[Seaweed]

I think the point is, MD is giving away is resources for next to nothing.  $10 to crab all summer?  What other fish or game can you take in such quantities for so little $?  Out of state hunters pay huge fees to take resources from other states.  You could pay more to fish ONE day at a stocked pay lake. And yet people still bitch about $10 measly dollars, possibly $20 or $30, to catch bushel and bushels of crabs?  If you have the funds to crab every weekend and drive hundreds of miles to do so, certainly you can afford the [dang] license! 

[mdjohn]

weed - I don't care about the money. But I don't like the sneaky way politicians use to get their foot in the door. If you're going to do it - do it 

Now let's talk about the fishing and crabbing license requirements in ocean city maryland - another pet peeve 

per this article

http://www.oysterbaytackle.com/kidfishing.asp

You do not need a license to fish or crab in Ocean City's (maryland)  bay or surf. 

here'e the reg.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/2004oceancrabregs.html

 

[reds]

You do not need a license to fish or crab in Ocean City's (maryland)  bay or surf. 

 

In 2009 you will. The federal mandate is, all must have a license to fish in saltwater. Part of the recent passage of the Magnuson Stevens update.

[Dreampixels]

In 2009 you will. The federal mandate is, all must have a license to fish in saltwater. Part of the recent passage of the Magnuson Stevens update.

With that being said -------------------- is this why MD is so far bent on making sure every crabber has a license, even if it is issued FREE...............?   Just a thought.......

[mdjohn]

In 2009 you will. The federal mandate is, all must have a license to fish in saltwater. Part of the recent passage of the Magnuson Stevens update.

speaking of which -- I gotta get my license for next year ((((   which is two weeks away   )))))) 



by da way - I checked

The rule mandates that those who fish in federal waters, defined as three miles off the cost, must register along with anglers who fish in waters where anadromous species such as striped bass, shad and salmon are known to migrate.

Anadromous fish are spawned in freshwater rivers and streams but then live most of their adult lives in saltwater oceans and bays.

A NOAA official said the stipulation blankets most of New Jersey’s bays and tidal rivers.

“Bays, off the beach, and up rivers; anywhere you’re likely to run into an anadromous fish is where (the registration requirement) will apply,” said NOAA spokeswoman Monica Allen.

Anglers will be required to register annually beginning in 2009. Registration would be free the first two years and annual administrative fee ranging from $15 to $25 would be imposed starting in 2011.   

http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bct/federal-saltwater-fishing-registry-proposed/

[R D]

speaking of which -- I gotta get my license for next year ((((   which is two weeks away   )))))) 



by da way - I checked

The rule mandates that those who fish in federal waters, defined as three miles off the cost, must register along with anglers who fish in waters where anadromous species such as striped bass, shad and salmon are known to migrate.

Anadromous fish are spawned in freshwater rivers and streams but then live most of their adult lives in saltwater oceans and bays.

A NOAA official said the stipulation blankets most of New Jersey’s bays and tidal rivers.

“Bays, off the beach, and up rivers; anywhere you’re likely to run into an anadromous fish is where (the registration requirement) will apply,” said NOAA spokeswoman Monica Allen.

Anglers will be required to register annually beginning in 2009. Registration would be free the first two years and annual administrative fee ranging from $15 to $25 would be imposed starting in 2011.  

http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bct/federal-saltwater-fishing-registry-proposed/

Way past time for it.

[jack1747]

speaking of which -- I gotta get my license for next year ((((   which is two weeks away   )))))) 

Thanks, this made me sit down and renew my HMS permit! Renewal letter has been laying here next to the keyboard for months. 

PS: Not sure about other states but Saltwater license in VA is good for 12 month from time of purchase..

[Ronster]

they are doing the same thing in delaware  but they might register you when you buy your license  not sure yet

You can't (legally) crab in Delaware without the Saltwater fishing license, so yes, they are already doing it in Delaware.

It's my understanding that coastal states that don't begin registering people for saltwater recreational licenses as of 2009 (or maybe its 2010) will lose some federal funding related to marine fisheries.    I know NJ is moving rapidly in the direction of requiring a Saltwater license as soon as 2009.     

[Tom Powers]

The feds are talking about saltwater fishermen having to pay a $15 to $25 fee to register.  None of that money would revert back to the states.  So it is a case of ransom.  Pay the feds or set up your own system and keep the money.

The official rules seem to be stalled right now.  It was supposed to be that everybody had to register for free starting in about 2 weeks with money being due in 2011.  The mandatory registration is currently on hold, but it will be here soon . . .