And the law says .. ???

[Riccol]

I read the other thread about "pregnant she crabs" but did not see a definite answer.  Moral and good-sport implications aside, what IS the NJ law on keeping "sponges"?
The fish & game guide lists only the min. sizes, says nothing about sponges (unless I missed it) so I take from that that it is legal to keep them or else they'd clearly print that it's not?

RC

[tattoo]

I throw them back. 

[Riccol]

I throw them back. 

So do we, but what is the LAW?

Thanks,
RC

[tattoo]

not sure . but why would you want to keep the female with eggs. ?

[Riccol]

not sure . but why would you want to keep the female with eggs. ?

I don't; "moral" reasons aside, they just look gross! 
It just bugs me not knowing what exactly the law says about them.

RC

[tattoo]

some one on here will know . we should get an answer soon. 

[rockinchef]

I was told they are illegal to keep but in jersey it doesn"t matter you can keep 4.5 inch crabs and that's not enforced you think they can regulate the females too?

[CaptMoose]

Pg 14:     4. All female crabs with eggs attached and all undersized crabs shall be
returned to the water immediately.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2008/digmar12-19.pdf

[CaptMoose]

I was told they are illegal to keep but in jersey it doesn"t matter you can keep 4.5 inch crabs and that's not enforced you think they can regulate the females too?

I know there must be people keeping undersized crabs.  For the life of me I can't imagine trying to pick that small of a crab.  I don't like picking anything under 5" which is why that's my personal minimum.

[Riccol]

Pg 14:     4. All female crabs with eggs attached and all undersized crabs shall be
returned to the water immediately.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2008/digmar12-19.pdf

Thanks, Capt. (It's actually on page 3 of that file, but I found it.)

[Pinchy]

I was told they are illegal to keep but in jersey it doesn"t matter you can keep 4.5 inch crabs and that's not enforced you think they can regulate the females too?

Why do you say that crabbing regs are not enforced? If you read the local papers, people get fined for keeping shorts all the time, NJ DNR drives around to known crabbing spots and checks catches both on land and water. I've been checked several times in the last 14 months alone, crabbing both from piers and on the water. In 2005 I went crabbing once all year and got checked that day. In fact, when I crab Manahawkin I look forward to being checked because the female DNR officer is a hottie.

[rockinchef]

Well that is good to hear, I have never been checked and have seen on multiple occassions people keeping undersized crabs, maybe they enforce more up north, hopefully the keeper size will be raised next year

[Pinchy]

Well that is good to hear, I have never been checked and have seen on multiple occassions people keeping undersized crabs, maybe they enforce more up north, hopefully the keeper size will be raised next year

When you see violations, call the DEP. Dial this free hotline and an officer will come out to investigate.

877-WARNDEP (877-927-6337)

[cw4340]

I read the other thread about "pregnant she crabs" but did not see a definite answer.  Moral and good-sport implications aside, what IS the NJ law on keeping "sponges"?
The fish & game guide lists only the min. sizes, says nothing about sponges (unless I missed it) so I take from that that it is legal to keep them or else they'd clearly print that it's not?

RC

you can not take sponge crabs in new jersey no ifs ends or butts