DNR Withdraws LCC Portion of 2009 Blue Crab Regulatory Proposal

[frankwyte4]

DNR Withdraws Limited Commercial Catcher Portion of 2009 Blue Crab Regulatory Proposals


Annapolis, Md. (February 26, 2009) -  Maryland Department Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin announced today that the Department has decided to withdraw the Limited Crab Catcher (LCC) component of the Department’s 2009 blue crab regulatory proposal.

“During the course of public comment on the proposed 2009 regulations, the vast majority of verbal and written comment was directed at this latent effort provision,” said Secretary Griffin.” Many of those who commented expressed concern over the fairness of freezing the commercial licenses of individuals who have not been crabbing in efforts to restore crab populations. Others expressed concern that the proposal does not adequately address the full challenge of protecting a stressed crab population from over 6,000 commercial licensees, when less than one third of those licensees reported catching crabs in recent years.”

Latent effort in the blue crab fishery remains a major concern as the work to rebuild blue crab populations continues. Latent effort is defined as licensed potential fishing effort that has not been used to full capacity in recent years. This includes licenses that are held, but not used, and fishermen that are fishing below licensed capacity. Large amounts of licensed latent effort re-entering the fishery could short circuit the rebuilding process and potentially shift available harvest away from active, full time watermen that depend on the fishery for their livelihood.

Although the LCC component has been removed for now, DNR has initiated a review of management goals and public comment on the latent effort issue to identify alternative solutions. The Department expects to re-propose regulatory action later this spring so that a regulation to address latent LCC effort is effective by September 1, 2009.

The new proposal will be a first step in a comprehensive strategy to strike the appropriate balance among the allowable harvest that a rebuilding crab population can support, the number of licensees and the long term commercial viability of the appropriate number of industry participants.

These alternative actions for removing latent LCC licenses will not fully address latent effort within the blue crab fishery. Fully addressing latent effort will require a full review of the commercial fisheries license structure. While addressing LCC concerns in 2009, DNR’s Fisheries Service staff will undertake a comprehensive review of latent effort in the fishery. Comprehensive recommendations will be available in November of 2009. Failure to adequately address latent effort could lead to a need for alternative management approaches that depend upon in-season harvest monitoring program and more regular in-season harvest adjustments.

DNR is moving forward to adopt the balance of the commercial 2009 regulations.

[ChrisS]

Thanks FrankW for posting this.......but, could someone PLEASE, explain to me why "Latent effort" is so important to helping the crab population? All this did, was wake a sleeping Giant. Now all those that weren't crabbing are now going to in fear of losing their licenses, and basically put more pressure that wasnt there before on stressed stock. I hope the DNR is reading this, and you guys fire some of he retards you have working for you. Stop asking for public opinion and just make the decisions that need to be made in order to help the crabs.

[frankwyte4]

yeah i don't get it if a license has been dormant for so long what difference does it make if they can't use it anymore if they weren't and i think the people with those licenses will go out and fish it just so they won't lose it.  Kinda silly to think 'I'm going to take something away from you and i'll hold a comment session so you can tell me that you don't want me to take it from you'.  I could've told you what the comments and opinion would be without ever holding these meetings.

[reds]

Thanks FrankW for posting this.......but, could someone PLEASE, explain to me why "Latent effort" is so important to helping the crab population? All this did, was wake a sleeping Giant. Now all those that weren't crabbing are now going to in fear of losing their licenses, and basically put more pressure that wasnt there before on stressed stock. I hope the DNR is reading this, and you guys fire some of he retards you have working for you. Stop asking for public opinion and just make the decisions that need to be made in order to help the crabs.

The law says they have to have the public hearings. Any regulation change has to give the public and the user groups a chance for input.

[ChrisS]

.....you may be right, but I thought the DNR had power to inact any rule necessary to protect the resources at any time of the year, wthout going through the general assembly. I am not against letting the public know and asking for input, just that they dont bow to one user group or another at the expense of the resource they're trying to protect.

Do you think the way they approached this "Latent Effort" issue correctly?

[reds]

.....you may be right, but I thought the DNR had power to inact any rule necessary to protect the resources at any time of the year, wthout going through the general assembly. I am not against letting the public know and asking for input, just that they dont bow to one user group or another at the expense of the resource they're trying to protect.

Do you think the way they approached this "Latent Effort" issue correctly?

Yes the DNR can enact some regs but some need the approval of the AELR committee which is made up of legislative people. They still have to hold public hearings on major changes and publish the change in the Maryland Register.

I got to wonder what amount of latent effort was involved with rec crabbers that they didn't address.
How many people buy a license and only use it once?... How many don't go unless they hear of someone catching the heck out of crabs somewhere.... If the crab numbers come up, there will be more rec crabbers, which is also latent effort. 

[Mr. Breeze]

I got to wonder what amount of latent effort was involved with rec crabbers that they didn't address.
How many people buy a license and only use it once?... How many don't go unless they hear of someone catching the heck out of crabs somewhere.... If the crab numbers come up, there will be more rec crabbers, which is also latent effort. 

Technically, the entire population is recreational latent effort.  Until they put a limit on the number of rec crabbing licenses they will issue, anyone can buy a license at any time.  If there are alot of crabs, go buy a license.   They ought to limit the number of recs to the number of commercial licenses.   

[DOMNIKDYL]

I was on the fence about the LCC freeze and have conversed with many LCC holders and recs alike in the last few weeks.  Now, after all that, I feel worrying about the latent effort of 800 or so licenses is like worrying about getting stung by a jellyfish.  By that, I mean don't worry about it until if (or when) it happens.  Chances are slim at best that those that were not crabbing (or reporting) will suddenly quadruple their efforts.  I say let them be for now and see what this year brings, after all ,we all know that the harvest has been declining for years and panic rarely yields the desired results.  Lets see what the rec ban on females and the comm season for females cut short did for the population.  Hopefully, that will indicate an upward trend in terms of population.  If not, then there is still time to act.  Although I know it has to start somewhere, there is no way this declining harvest can be turned around in 1 season by retracting 800 licenses.  Let's give each conservation method at least some chance.  Look at the ORP plan, been dumping money and manpower into that for at least 10 years with little to no results.

[Mr. Ray III]

Technically, the entire population is recreational latent effort.  Until they put a limit on the number of rec crabbing licenses they will issue, anyone can buy a license at any time.  If there are alot of crabs, go buy a license.   They ought to limit the number of recs to the number of commercial licenses.   

I agree, there should be a pre-set number of rec lic.   

[thbub61]

i got a call from a buddy of mine last night he just got a rec crabbing license and the reg book he got doesn"t say anything  about any limits on females this year other than the  3 1/2 inches hard shell  with all the changes last year you would think there 2009 book would be up to date hes thinking he can take females this year  anyone else read it that way ? 

[demcrabs]

Why not put quotas  for rec, it would give a better count. purchase tags with the license.  Then do it like many states check game.
Tags must be attached to the basket with date and starting time. First violation dump crabs back in water, second same with fine, third lose license, something like that.