So whats the deal?

[mariner]

IF we knew what the problem is, I think we'd fix it.

[Steve]

Are the islands near eachother? If so the mens island would thrive after the looted the womans island and took all the women back to the mens island. Anyway on a serious matter has anyone heard that after the female's flap is mature, they are done mating?

She's done mating. But she still needs to get to the mouth of the Bay to spawn.

[crabsrlicious]

I never, never, never keep the females!!  Tried one once along time ago, in my opinion, they don't taste as good as the males anyway.  So leave them alone to do their thing!

[tweetybug]

If every crabber did at least one thing they believe will conserve Blue Claw, eventually the population will flourish.  Just think for the half of us who throw females back the other half does not.  If everyone kept the females is it possible the decline would be worse?? Noone really knows but at least it's an effort.
I have been crabbing lately frustrated hearing people who don't even know the difference in sex id and still think the state minimun is 4".  In a thread a few weeks ago KristiePa even asked.  One more piece of the puzzle- lack of crab education.  Personally my practices are to let the females go,  keepers over 6" only, and every third trip I catch I throw back regardless of the amount caught.  Now most of you would cry at the last one but, trust me it feels good to know I am doing my small part to conserve.  I also make sure those who crab near me get informed of the law or I toss theirs back too.  No I am not a B@#$%, I just don't go for ignorance without necessity  

[Boss Haus]

[dang] tweetie bug I think you need to change your name. Something like "The Enforcer" or "The Regulator" would be more appropriate. Am I right to assume that you catch crabs for an entire day and throw them all back? More power to you..... I started this thread to find the cause of the problem and unfortunately I think you are feeling the need to overcompensate for other peoples neglect.

     I do admire your enthusiasm and willingness to back it up with action. I wonder how much of an impact recreational crabbers have on the "Big Picture" of the problem. I can only assume but I bet its not much at all. Let me know if you ever come to Solomons and I will point out some uninformed people because I GOT TO SEE THAT! You go head boss! Seriously though keep up the good work.

[Crabslayer]

That's what Johnny Law is for no room for vigilantes.  Take a pic and call it in.

[tweetybug]

I honestly never considered myself a vigilante but technically I guess my actions prove that I am.
When I inform most people of the regulations, they are greatful that I am correcting their mistakes.  Then there are those few who don't wanna hear.  Dumping bucket is not a common practice for me , but the few who don't wanna hear the regs hit a nerve.  Especially looking in to a bucket of undersized immature females.  As far as the pics go, as soon as I try to snap it they're already out of site.  I know I'm wrong but I can't help it.

As far as a nickname of Enforcer- I prefer the "Informer"
The basis of my actions stem from the desire to inform.

[Seahawk]

Okay Tweet I can see the first two points but I gotta say the third is a little over the top(but just a little).  I also agree its greta you are all fired up, but remember when you go tossing peoples crabs back at least give them the chance to after you've informed them of the laws.  And even then in todays day and age to many crzies willing to kill over a pair of shoes let alone a few bushels of crabs so please be careful.  I don't know if it really helps but try writing your congressman about the issues you have.  I did and I bet if enough voters did they would take it more serious.  But still my hats off to ya, ya got moxy.

[Crabslayer]

I hear your frustration but leading by example is key.  How can you expect someone to follow the law if you take the law in your own hand.  Two wrongs don't make it right.  

[Boss Haus]

(http://www.badbasstackle.com/images/kickbucket.gif)

[jack1747]

Especially looking in to a bucket of undersized immature females.  

Best b sure of what u r doing... them could be peelers...... then it would be u who is breaking the law.  sorry but thats the law

[kingcrabber]

Hey Sir Jack...i'm ignorant here..what xactly is a "peeler"..an how does it differ from an immature female?

[seagirl]

summary.....big business and their politician freinds do whet they want,when they want,to [Sam Hill] with the consequences .and everybody on this board knows what i think of politicians

I join you in that sentiment.

[kingcrabber]

well SeaG...I can tell you an' KC gonna have a BEuuuuuuuuutiful relationship ..(all you other bozos like Crabguy an Joe crabs an CSlayer an BI better back up here )....Seagirl,you don't know these guys yet ..they're ruthless

[Joe Crabs]

Seagirl crab with KC and he'll show you all the sights, and that's about all you will see with an empty basket.

[tweetybug]

I know I've been bad.  It's Crab withdrawal syndrome.  PLEASE help.   But seriously, there are some ludicrous crabbers around this area.  You may have made me "kick" the bad bucket habit.  I'd rather see their face when they get fined $$$.   Solo I just loved that pic. LMAO

[Joe Crabs]

Hey Tweetybug your heart is in the right place.  I'd rather see someone go over the line than not do anything and complain about it. But these guys are right for your own safety and you don't need the potential trouble you could get yourself into. In some cases these guys are in their legal rights. But if anything happens we could come up with some type of crab insanity defense.

[jack1747]

what xactly is a "peeler"..an how does it differ from an immature female?

http://www.blue-crab.org/redsign.htm

3 inch peelers are legal in VA

[DocSmith]

Do you get to pick the 9 women?

  Doc

[procrabber]

 Until then it's Hopkins for now!

well then "hey neighbor" i am in UMB right down the street. What lab do you work in in hopkins?

[jengirl1014]

I'm in Dr. Sandra Guggino's lab in the Division of Gastroenterology.  Her husband, Dr.Bill Guggino worked with Dr. Peter Agre on his project that he just won the Nobel Prize for.  Where abouts at UMB are you?

Doc, only you can pick the 9 females!  Whatever's left over goes to everyone else!

Way to go Tweet!!  I think the "Informanator"  is more like it.  Once you've been informed, if you don't comply---DUMP THE CRABS!!!!!!  Hasta la vista, baby!!

[procrabber]

im in the department of microbiology and immunology in a comparative immunology lab. you should come to one of our happy hours. outsiders welcome!

[jengirl1014]

That's on my way home.  What time and where?  Maybe I can get out of here early one day.