Virginia stopping winter crab dredging!

[ChrisS]

Surprised it hasnt made this board yet.

[ChrisS]

http://www.nbc12.com/story/15555222/va-regulators-to-vote-on-winter-crab-harvest-ban

[jack1747]

Surprised it hasnt made this board yet.

They didn't vote until yesterday afternoon.  I checked after lunch yesterday but there wasn't any results yet.  The date of the vote is screwed up on the VMRC website.  It says Sept. 23rd..  If you go to the details the date is correct.

"THE COMMISSION VOTED 9-0 TO CLOSE THE WINTER CRAB DREDGE FISHERY SEASON FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW.  THE COMMISSION DECIDED IT WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO REBUILD THE CRAB STOCK, AND THAT WHILE GREAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE MORE WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE TO BRING THE POPULATION BACK TO HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE LEVELS.  ALSO, THE COMMISSION VOTED 6-3 (WITH ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONERS PLUMLEE, PALMER AND SESSOMS VOTING NO) TO RETAIN ON A WAITING LIST 320 COMMERCIAL CRAB LICENSES THAT HAD BEEN DEACTIVED IN 2008, AND SIGNALED IT WOULD CONSIDER REINSTATING THEM WHEN THE CRAB POPULATION RETURNS TO TARGET ABUNDANCE LEVELS AND REMAINS THERE THREE YEARS IN A ROW."

[ChrisS]

Jack,
Whats the general feeling from the residents in VA, regarding this?

[jack1747]

Jack,
Whats the general feeling from the residents in VA, regarding this?

I don't have a feel for that. My neighbors, all watermen, don't like anything the VMRC does.    I do get the feeling the VMRC would close it for good if they could.  But only the legislature can do that.

[lone sailor]

I talked to a potter down in your neck fo the woods Jack about crabbing in general. He had some interesting things to say. One of which was he would have sold his liscense to the state as well if he knew they were going to give it back. He acted like some deactivated ones were allready returned?

[jack1747]

I talked to a potter down in your neck fo the woods Jack about crabbing in general. He had some interesting things to say. One of which was he would have sold his liscense to the state as well if he knew they were going to give it back. He acted like some deactivated ones were allready returned?

I don't think VA bought any licenses.  The VMRC did put ones that were inactive on the shelf.  Don't quote me but I think 90 or so were put back in active status when the owners were able to prove hardship was the reason for no catch (active military duty, health, etc.).

[genecrabman]

I don't have a feel for that. My neighbors, all watermen, don't like anything the VMRC does.    I do get the feeling the VMRC would close it for good if they could.  But only the legislature can do that.

Thats how to tell a True Waterman!!!!!!!!JMO....

MD DNR---------VMRC----------------NC DMF  Are all the DEVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crabby Captn John]

They didn't vote until yesterday afternoon.  I checked after lunch yesterday but there wasn't any results yet.  The date of the vote is screwed up on the VMRC website.  It says Sept. 23rd..  If you go to the details the date is correct.

"THE COMMISSION VOTED 9-0 TO CLOSE THE WINTER CRAB DREDGE FISHERY SEASON FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW.  THE COMMISSION DECIDED IT WAS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO REBUILD THE CRAB STOCK, AND THAT WHILE GREAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE MORE WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE TO BRING THE POPULATION BACK TO HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE LEVELS.  ALSO, THE COMMISSION VOTED 6-3 (WITH ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONERS PLUMLEE, PALMER AND SESSOMS VOTING NO) TO RETAIN ON A WAITING LIST 320 COMMERCIAL CRAB LICENSES THAT HAD BEEN DEACTIVED IN 2008, AND SIGNALED IT WOULD CONSIDER REINSTATING THEM WHEN THE CRAB POPULATION RETURNS TO TARGET ABUNDANCE LEVELS AND REMAINS THERE THREE YEARS IN A ROW."


By the time they are ready to reinstate those license holders they will have died of old age! OOHhh,, that IS the plan..

[lone sailor]

I don't think VA bought any licenses.  The VMRC did put ones that were inactive on the shelf.  Don't quote me but I think 90 or so were put back in active status when the owners were able to prove hardship was the reason for no catch (active military duty, health, etc.).

That may have been what he referred to but he metioned somethign aobut getting paid so i dont know, was interesting to talk to him though.

[reds]

I don't think VA bought any licenses.  The VMRC did put ones that were inactive on the shelf.  Don't quote me but I think 90 or so were put back in active status when the owners were able to prove hardship was the reason for no catch (active military duty, health, etc.).

This says they did.

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/news_vacrabbuyback.aspx?menuitem=47331

[jack1747]

This says they did.

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/news_vacrabbuyback.aspx?menuitem=47331

Your right... I just couldn't remember...

"Acceptance letters to the holders of the 359 licenses accepted for the buyback were mailed on
Nov. 20. Checks will be written within the next few weeks.

Removing 75,441 crab pots from circulation is a reduction of 18 percent of the 423,000 crab pots
that had been licensed for use in Virginia waters.
Retiring 359 crab licenses from the books will leave 1,649 licenses in circulation, including 314
licenses that cannot currently be used because they are on a waiting list. The number of crab
licenses issued was capped in 1998.
The bids received varied widely. Full-time crabber bids ranged from $5,000 to $600,000; parttimer
bids ranged from $500 to $634,000; and bids from those on the waiting list ranged from
$500 to $300,000.
The accepted bids ranged from $500 to $175,000."

[Tom Powers]

VMRC did not give any of the licenses back. . . but they did allow those that sold licenses to the state to stay in the crab fishery by transferring a license (which was not on the wait list) into their name.  They allow up to something like 100 transfers per year.  Wait listed licenses can not be transferred and be turned into an active license.

I was told that at least a few did this right away getting a license from a family member.  I do not know how many did this in the longer run.

The fishery is overcapitalized, to many permits out there. 

[genecrabman]

VMRC did not give any of the licenses back. . . but they did allow those that sold licenses to the state to stay in the crab fishery by transferring a license (which was not on the wait list) into their name.  They allow up to something like 100 transfers per year.  Wait listed licenses can not be transferred and be turned into an active license.

I was told that at least a few did this right away getting a license from a family member.  I do not know how many did this in the longer run.

The fishery is overcapitalized, to many permits out there. 

Welcome Back Tom, I feel that your wrong again.............................

Fishery Management is the most "OVERCAPITALIZED" thing going............Too many people with a Marine Biology degree who think they have all the answers..More WELFARE FOR "SMART FOLKS"..They are putting too many people out of work, with twisted numbers and stats.......

[Crabslayer]

In the mean time NY & PA continue to $hit in our water.  The damage from the Susky gates being opened will screw things over for years if not decades to come. 

[CRABGUY]

I KNOW A GUY THAT GOT 40,000 FOR HIS 150 POT LICENSE
HE BOUGHT ANOTHER 150 POT LICENSE A MONTH LATER FOR 4,000

[genecrabman]

I KNOW A GUY THAT GOT 40,000 FOR HIS 150 POT LICENSE
HE BOUGHT ANOTHER 150 POT LICENSE A MONTH LATER FOR 4,000

Thats the way to work the system.......... ;)I don't blame him one bit....

[CRABGUY]

36,000 PROFIT [Sam Hill] YEA

[Crabby Captn John]

I KNOW A GUY THAT GOT 40,000 FOR HIS 150 POT LICENSE
HE BOUGHT ANOTHER 150 POT LICENSE A MONTH LATER FOR 4,000

That is a good business man.

[reds]

VMRC did not give any of the licenses back. . . but they did allow those that sold licenses to the state to stay in the crab fishery by transferring a license (which was not on the wait list) into their name.  They allow up to something like 100 transfers per year.  Wait listed licenses can not be transferred and be turned into an active license.

I was told that at least a few did this right away getting a license from a family member.  I do not know how many did this in the longer run.

The fishery is overcapitalized, to many permits out there. 

Let's talk about a real over capitalized fishery. The rec Striped bass Fishery caught an estimated 1.92 million fish in 2010. A fishing club (Stripers Forever) says there are 3 million Striped Bass anglers. Time to limit rec licenses to the number of fish caught..

[Crabslayer]

Let's talk about a real over capitalized fishery. The rec Striped bass Fishery caught an estimated 1.92 million fish in 2010. A fishing club (Stripers Forever) says there are 3 million Striped Bass anglers. Time to limit rec licenses to the number of fish caught..

Maybe the Environmental Defense Fund should get involved. 

[KI Crabber]

Let's talk about a real over capitalized fishery. The rec Striped bass Fishery caught an estimated 1.92 million fish in 2010. A fishing club (Stripers Forever) says there are 3 million Striped Bass anglers. Time to limit rec licenses to the number of fish caught..

According to these numbers, if each rec guy would only spend $150 per year on rockfishing and I would think that this is a very low estimate. The average cost per fish would be $234, at $250 per angler, the price per fish is $390 each. Does anyone have the numbers on what the dollar value is on commercially caught rockfish along the east coast?

[genecrabman]

According to these numbers, if each rec guy would only spend $150 per year on rockfishing and I would think that this is a very low estimate. The average cost per fish would be $234, at $250 per angler, the price per fish is $390 each. Does anyone have the numbers on what the dollar value is on commercially caught rockfish along the east coast?
[/quo




Commercial Rockfishing is a Limited entry ...........Probably only 3,000 - 5,000 guys fishing, is that what you want to do to Rec Rockfishing? 

[KI Crabber]

According to these numbers, if each rec guy would only spend $150 per year on rockfishing and I would think that this is a very low estimate. The average cost per fish would be $234, at $250 per angler, the price per fish is $390 each. Does anyone have the numbers on what the dollar value is on commercially caught rockfish along the east coast?
[/quo

Commercial Rockfishing is a Limited entry ...........Probably only 3,000 - 5,000 guys fishing, is that what you want to do to Rec Rockfishing? 

Not at all. I was just asking what the commercial revenues are from the stripped bass harvest. I can't believe the cost per fish that rec guys are paying. I know it's all about the experience but those are some pretty hefty figures. I hope there are not a bunch of rec's wives following this thread. 

[genecrabman]

36,000 PROFIT [Sam Hill] YEA

I hope he bought a Skid Loader with that Money..............