More On The EDF/Blue Crab Design Team Saga

[Crabslayer]

The state is looking to implement a "Pilot Program" this season for MD commercial crabbers and crab buyers (dealers).  The project components are as follows:

Daily electronic reporting by crab harvester
Daily electronic trip level reporting by crab buyer
Hail program
Spot Checks
Central Database to aid in management decision-making and transparency

The technology options for reporting daily data are as follows:

Harvesters

Phone call
Text message
Smart phone/Tablet
Computer

Crab Buyers

Smart phone/Tablet
Computer

Technology options for hail program: (Hail program includes Hail In and Hail Out or just Hail In.)

Cell Phone
     Phone Call
     Text message
Smart phone/Tablet


Other harvest verification tools :

     Harvest reports compared to dealer reports
                Database can flag discrepancies automatically

     Spot checks based on hailing in
                All Crabbers are subject to spot checks but are primarily focused on verification of crabbers selling crabs to public.


Now this is one all you guys (and gals) who sell to your friends or John Q public are going to love.

Potential and optional pilot program "Extras:"
   
        All crabs have to be sold to a dealer (crabbers selling to the public would need to register as dealers.)

        Credit card style licenses to transfer harvester information such as license and vessel number (even though you are not currently   
        required to have your vessel # listed on your license.

        Community ATM style kiosk for harvest reporting.

        Monitoring program to supplement spot checks for crabbers selling crabs directly to the public.

Also there are a number of bills introduced to the legislation this session that will affect commercial watermen.  All of you who hold a commercial license would be wise to familiarize yourselves and let your elected officials know where you stand on these issues.

More to come.

[Mr. Breeze]

On your "extras", the crabber who sells directly to the public becoming a "dealer" would do nothing for independent verification of harvest.  The design team knows this, the DNR knows this and EDF knows this.  It has been discussed and does not meet the requirements of the Department.  This is NOT in the pilot program

[Mr. Ray III]

This pilot program is a huge PITA, and absolutely unnecessary, IMO.  Honestly, I can't see how it will make anything better in terms of reporting except add a couple more hoops for people to jump through. 

[mdjohn]

the honorable state of maryland will spend $500 of taxpayer money per bushel to track a bushel of crabs from bay water to toilet water

THANK YOU
guvnor Owemallee

 

you can't ask for more money until you spend what ya got

 

[redhanded]

I'm confused what are we trying to fix?

A problem in 2007 ?

Seems to me Limiting female harvest and stopping winter dredge crabbing is working

Nothing like blowing the dust off that Federal money to make up a solution to a problem you don't have anymore.

[Mikie]

I hate to have to say it, but this statement :  "It has been discussed and does not meet the requirements of the Department." tells me just about I all need to know about the whole process.

[rdbeard]

What advantage would a crabber who signs up for the pilot program get? could we crab without time restrictions? There has to be a reason to be part of this pilot program.

[Crabslayer]

On your "extras", the crabber who sells directly to the public becoming a "dealer" would do nothing for independent verification of harvest.  The design team knows this, the DNR knows this and EDF knows this.  It has been discussed and does not meet the requirements of the Department.  This is NOT in the pilot program

Only using material handed out at Wednesday's night meeting Rich.  "Independent verification of harvest" was not in the extras section.  It was in  Other Harvest Verification Tools section. 

[Mr. Breeze]

What advantage would a crabber who signs up for the pilot program get? could we crab without time restrictions? There has to be a reason to be part of this pilot program.

The only benefit that I can see is that you will not have to fill out paper reports. (if you consider it a benefit, the participants will get to keep the devices issued)  The design team decided that to offer regulatory benefits for participating in the program would not be a good idea

[Mr. Ray III]

The only benefit that I can see is that you will not have to fill out paper reports. (if you consider it a benefit, the participants will get to keep the devices issued)  The design team decided that to offer regulatory benefits for participating in the program would not be a good idea

\

Rich,

When you see "keep the devices", what devices are you talking about?

Also, are you for or against the pilot program?

[genecrabman]

\

Rich,

When you see "keep the devices", what devices are you talking about?

Also, are you for or against the pilot program?

Sounds like you guys might get a new Iphone, Ipad and a New MacBook Pro..........Why did I ever let my Md License go...........

[SlickCam]

Only difference I see between this and the old system is more expensive technology.  If we're gonna spend more money, it should be on enforcing the regulations we already have in place... not trying to reinvent the wheel with expensive toys.  Just my lowly LCC opinion.

[flounderpounder]

throw away the pens papers and pencils boys .....time to go electric..  Looks to me like there will be some more lcc's for sale in the near future..

[SlickCam]

Any talk of opening up the "pilot program" to willing recreationals as well? Since this new system is so much better and reliable.  I mean if we want "real" realtime data... we need to know all the harvest... finally.

[Mr. Breeze]

\

Rich,

When you see "keep the devices", what devices are you talking about?

Also, are you for or against the pilot program?

Ray, I see nothing wrong with "piloting" the possibilities.  That way, we can see what will work and what won't using a small sample of the fishermen. It sure is better than having dnr tell the whole fishery that you have to do it and then finding out later that it won't work.

There is talk of smart phones and tablets being given to the participants of the pilot

[Mr. Breeze]

Any talk of opening up the "pilot program" to willing recreationals as well? Since this new system is so much better and reliable.  I mean if we want "real" realtime data... we need to know all the harvest... finally.

No talk about including recs in this pilot, as it is only dealing with commercial accountability.  Fishery-wide accountability will be discussed soon

[genecrabman]

Maybe DNR could atleast put tracking devises on some of the rec boats...

[jack1747]

Maybe DNR could atleast put tracking devises on some of the rec boats...

Not without a warrant.....

[Mr. Ray III]

Ray, I see nothing wrong with "piloting" the possibilities.  That way, we can see what will work and what won't using a small sample of the fishermen. It sure is better than having dnr tell the whole fishery that you have to do it and then finding out later that it won't work.

There is talk of smart phones and tablets being given to the participants of the pilot

The only benefit that I can see is that you will not have to fill out paper reports. (if you consider it a benefit, the participants will get to keep the devices issued)  The design team decided that to offer regulatory benefits for participating in the program would not be a good idea

Rich, if what you said is true here, then you must agree that the pilot program is unnecessary.  Cause all thats really happening is complicating a system already in place.  While, at this point in time, the pilot program doesn't show any malignant possiblities, its just another hoop to jump through. 

[genecrabman]

Rich, if what you said is true here, then you must agree that the pilot program is unnecessary.  Cause all thats really happening is complicating a system already in place.  While, at this point in time, the pilot program doesn't show any malignant possiblities, its just another hoop to jump through. 

Besides the fact, DNR is already BROKE!

[genecrabman]

Not without a warrant.....

Thats what the Watermen on the Eastern Shore thought...Heck DNR might be putting tracking devises on peoples cars/trucks at the ramps,while they crab...
Never Trust DNR....

[reds]

Besides the fact, DNR is already BROKE!

$400,000 magically appeared from NOAA for the pilot program.

[genecrabman]

$400,000 magically appeared from NOAA for the pilot program.

NOAA = Catch Shares

[Mikie]

The DNR must have found some money somewhere - I just read where they're going to spend $23 million this year to upgrade State Parks!
Maryland people better contact their representatives and oppose all of Owemalley's new taxes.

[reds]

NOAA = Catch Shares

If the DNR will lie about getting warrants. Lying about anything else is child's play.

I promise I'll pull it out.