Summary of proposed regulations and changes

[In a Pinch]

Found this update from the DNR interesting, though I'm just learning myself.

COMAR link:

https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/regulations/changes.aspx#bcrabcont

Summary link:

https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Reg_Changes/BlueCrabs_ContainersLimits.pdf

Super summarized info:
Option 1: The recreational hard male crab daily catch limit for a licensed individual is one
bushel when using a bushel to hold crabs. When not using a bushel to hold crabs, the hard male
crab daily catch limit for a licensed individual is six dozen.
Option 2: The recreational hard male crab daily catch limit for a licensed individual, regardless
of the container being used to hold crabs, is six dozen.

[SteveL]

Thank you for posting! 

It seems like a challenge for the rec crabber to keep an accurate count while crabbing and a challenge for DNR to count crabs to check the total--that alternative presents issues with compliance and enforcement.

I would not want to be checked on the water to have the catch counted at the end of a busy summer morning as the heat builds.  Ugh...

[Harford Crabber]

And I doubt there are very many, if any, DNR officers that want to have to count your crabs.  Ever tried to count a bushel of crabs after they're in the basket?  Only way is to pull them out one or two at time and move to a different container, not an easy task, especially in the fall when they all like to cling to each other.  Not many people interested in doing that...   I seriously doubt they'll decide on anything other than option #1. 

And I wouldn't want to be the crabber that has  73  crabs in a cooler because I didn't have a basket, and accidently miscounted while catching them, and then required the officer to count them.  The officer couldn't be too happy and most likely is not going to look the other way at your honest mistake.  I'd be sure to always have a "correct size" bushel basket and avoid the counting foolishness.

[In a Pinch]

Good points guys.  Definitely from my experience fishing, sometimes proposed changes in regulations just lead to more confusion, difficulty following, and tracking.
Conceptually it makes sense, but in practice does sound like a nightmare.

[Logical1]

The DNR officers know what looks like a bushel no matter what you have them in. If it looks to them like you are trying to follow the rules, they don't see anything that looks small and no females, I can't imagine them doing to many actual crab counts.  My laundry basket would easily hold more than a bushel, but I never fill it to a point that would be questionable.

[jack1747]

The DNR officers know what looks like a bushel no matter what you have them in. If it looks to them like you are trying to follow the rules, they don't see anything that looks small and no females, I can't imagine them doing to many actual crab counts.  My laundry basket would easily hold more than a bushel, but I never fill it to a point that would be questionable.

I have seen the VRMC check every crab on the boat.  They have there own basket and measure every crab.  On every boat insight.  If one boat would start to pull away they order the boat they are with to stay put and haul [arse] to the boat that's attempting to leave the area.

[Logical1]

I have seen the VRMC check every crab on the boat.  They have there own basket and measure every crab.  On every boat insight.  If one boat would start to pull away they order the boat they are with to stay put and haul [arse] to the boat that's attempting to leave the area.

I wonder if there is a difference between the way Virginia and Maryland officers handle things like this.

[Crabslayer]

Six dozen of Greenwood Creek crabs would be 1 1/2 bushels.  Was only able to get 44 crabs into a basket when I grew up there. 

[Wallco99]

I wonder if there is a difference between the way Virginia and Maryland officers handle things like this.

YES, because there are no crabs in Virginia. So counting to 72 would NEVER happen.

[BigCountry14]

Six dozen of Greenwood Creek crabs would be 1 1/2 bushels.  Was only able to get 44 crabs into a basket when I grew up there. 

Definitely have had that experience.  One May everything we caught was pushing 7 inches, some were larger.  Basket was busting at just about 50 crabs.  Best day of crabbing I have ever had.

[jack1747]

I wonder if there is a difference between the way Virginia and Maryland officers handle things like this.

I think it varies from officer to officer in both states.  Asking different VMRC offers, one being a friend, gets different answers about how they enforce laws.  Then I ask my contact, the VMRC Commissioner,  and get a third answers.