1 Bushel, 2, 3, 4?

[XtremeCrabber]

I'm trying to understand what this means in terms of multiple people being on a vessel...

*  Any person licensed to use a recreational crab trotline license (300’ maximum), recreational 5-Crab Pot License, or a recreational crab pound/trap is limited to one bushel of hard crabs and two dozen peeler crabs in any one day for personal use [4 VAC 20-670-25].

Does that mean that the vessel is limited to 1 bushel regardless of how many people aboard? Maybe each licensed person--so if two licensed people then 2 bushels?  Or since each person, unlicensed or licensed, can have up two pots, maybe a bushel per person?

I wish this stuff was more clear to me...

[jack1747]

Welcome to the Forum....

If 5 people are on the boat, and each one has a gear license, then each person can keep 1 bushel (5 bushels). Or if no one has a gear license then all 5 could keep a bushel each using handlines or traps.  Good luck with that.  

5 people on the boat, you can use 10 pots without a gear license. Each person can catch a bushel. 5 bushels total. Good luck with that too.. 

[XtremeCrabber]

I hear ya, man.  Who really wants to try to be a lawyer with Fish and Game while crabbing, right?  Thanks for the clarification.  You just made my family very happy...

[Tom Powers]

No you are wrong on that one Jack. . .

No matter how many people are on the boat.  The VESSEL limit is 1 bu of crabs.  That is the way that it went through the committee and was presented to the Commission.  

That being said, the exact way the law reads if you have two people with 5 pot licenses on the boat then the possession limit is stated as "any person licensed" and it would seem that they could have 2 bu on a vessel.  On the other hand the UNLICENSED crabbers using hand lines, dip nets or two crab pots each and you are back to the 1 bu per vessel.

Now I would not push nor do I propose that I know what would happen if you had one licensed person and one unlicensed person on the boat with 2 bu of crabs.

If you are fishing from the shore then the limit is 1 bu per person.

Tom

4VAC20-270-56. Recreational harvest limit.

It shall be unlawful to take by using an unlicensed dip net or hand line, or two crab pots, or to possess for personal use aboard any vessel, more than one bushel of hard crabs or two dozen peeler crabs.

4VAC20-670-25. Harvest limits.

It shall be unlawful for any person licensed to use recreational crab pots, recreational crab trap, or recreational ordinary crab trot line, as described in 4VAC20-670-20, to take or possess more than one bushel of hard crabs and two dozen peeler crabs, in any one day, for personal use.  

[jack1747]

Thanks Tom... I stand corrected.. 

[Distraction]

Ugh.  Tom, you're killing me.   

So, it was "put through the committee" that way, but how is it enforced since the law is somewhat vague?

I have a 5 pot license and a trot line license.  My bro has none.  We will be using my 5 pots, his 2 pots, rings (no license required), and my trot line.  

If we keep 2 bushels, will we be in trouble with "the man"?

[Distraction]

I broke bad and called "the man" himself.  I contacted the VMRC Law Enforcement division, described the details (one boat, one licensed rec crabber, two unlicensed crabbers, mixed gear, etc.).

He said that it is one bushel per person.  I clarified...so I can have three bushels on board if it's me, my brother, and his son?

"Yes sir," he replied.

Sweet!

Hope that helps.

[jack1747]

Now I'm totally confused...  I will contact Deputy Commissioner Jack Travelstead on Monday for a final answer....

[Mikie]

Jeesh, and I thought Maryland was bad.

[Tom Powers]

What I posted was the law. . .

If you have multiple 5 pot licenses, trot lines, etc. then it is one bu per LICENSED person.

If you have no licensed person per vessel then you are allowed only one bu per vessel.

I have no clue as to how a JUDGE would interpret the law in other situations.

Jack Travelstead is on vacation and won't be back until Monday. . . Jack you should give him until Tuesday in order to catch up before you call him.

[jack1747]

What I posted was the law. . .

If you have multiple 5 pot licenses, trot lines, etc. then it is one bu per LICENSED person.

If you have no licensed person per vessel then you are allowed only one bu per vessel.
I have no clue as to how a JUDGE would interpret the law in other situations.

Jack Travelstead is on vacation and won't be back until Monday. . . Jack you should give him until Tuesday in order to catch up before you call him.

Got it!  Thanks. I could not get that in my thick head reading the laws..    I sent JT a email so he can answer in a time convent to him but I think you have cleared the matter.  At least for me...  

[jack1747]

And the final word is........... 

Hi Jack, Here are the answers:

 

 

It shall be unlawful for any person licensed to use recreational crab pots, recreational crab trap, or recreational ordinary crab trot line, as described in 4VAC20-670-20, to take or possess more than one bushel of hard crabs and two dozen peeler crabs, in any one day, for personal use. So, if you have a 5-pot license this is your personal limit. If there are 3 such licensees on the same boat, each of you is entitled to take and possess one bushel of hard crabs and two dozen peelers.

 

On the other hand, if you do not have such a license then this applies:

It shall be unlawful to take by using an unlicensed dip net or hand line, or two crab pots, or to possess for personal use aboard any vessel, more than one bushel of hard crabs or two dozen peeler crabs. Here, even if there are 3 unlicensed crabbers on the same boat the possession limit is one bushel of hard crabs total.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Jack