150 ft trot line

[Ron]

Received a response email this morning.     

This guy is a friend/neighbor who has always been very helpful in updating me on F&W issues, so please do not bomb him with emails in response to this.     If we have follow up questions, which I am sure there will be, please post them here and I'll send him a complete compilation of questions.    I appreciate everyone's cooperation in advance with this request.   

In summary:

150' trotline is measured first snood to last snood, no anchor or guidelines are included in the measurement.

Two trotlines may not be tied together.

Two trotlines can share a common anchor line, provided that a buoy or stake is marking the ends of each individual line and the baited portions of the lines are separated by at least 100'.


-------------------------
From: Babb, Russell [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2016 9:34 AM
To: Ron Meischker <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Need a written determination about crabbing with recreational trotlines

Ron,

See my answers in red below.  Any other Qs, let me know. 

Russ


Russ Babb, Supervising Fisheries Biologist
Marine Fisheries Administration
Bureau of Shellfisheries
Nacote Creek Station - (609) 748.2040
Delaware Bay Office - (856) 785.0730
***PLEASE NOTE NEW E-MAIL***
[email protected]   



From: Ron Meischker [mailto:[email protected]om]
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 11:34 PM
To: Babb, Russell
Subject: Need a written determination about crabbing with recreational trotlines

Russ,

Please forward this question to the appropriate individual and ask them to provide me with a written determination to clarify rules about crabbing with a recreational trotline in New Jersey.   The speculation is thick on bluecrab.info about this and I want to help set it to rest.

---------------------------------------------

New Jersey’s recreational trotline regulations allow a crabber who purchases $2 recreational crab pot license to utilize two trotlines of no longer than 150’ in length and containing no more than 25 baits each.    The regs also state that trotlines must be marked at each end by a clearly visible stake or buoy.

With these facts in mind, please answer the following questions.

Question #1
What constitutes the 150 foot length of each trotline?     The baited portion of the line itself only, or do we need to calculate the anchor and buoy lines into the length calculation? 

DFW enforces the 150' regulation by measuring from the first snood (i.e., baited line) to the last snood, the length of which would not include the anchor or float lines.


Question #2 & 2a
Some recreational crabbers believe it is acceptable to tie two trotlines together to create 300 total feet and 50 baits of linked line.     Others think this is not correct, because that would be one 300 foot trotline as opposed to two 150 trotlines, defeating the purpose of the maximum trotline length being set at 150 feet.   Additionally, the regs say each trotline must have both ends marked by a clearly visible stake or buoy, which would seem to defeat any argument that you can tie two lines together, because then each end would not be marked by a buoy.

Can two trotlines be tied together? 

Connecting two trot lines together to form one 300’ trot line is a definite no.  Must be separate. 

If no, may they share a common anchor line between the two lines as long as both ends of each line are clearly marked by a stake or buoy?

 It would be acceptable for someone to use the same anchor for two separate trot lines provided that a buoy or stake is marking the ends of each individual line and the baited portions of the lines are separated by at least 100'.

[CaptMoose]

Thanks Ron.  Good to know.  

Have to say though, that 100' between baited lines sharing a common 3rd anchor line seems pretty arbitrary.

Nonetheless, always good to hear from a senior authority.

[mattio41]

Question #1
What constitutes the 150 foot length of each trotline?     The baited portion of the line itself only, or do we need to calculate the anchor and buoy lines into the length calculation? 

DFW enforces the 150' regulation by measuring from the first snood (i.e., baited line) to the last snood, the length of which would not include the anchor or float lines.

Ron, thank you for taking the time to write and post. I have the first question.

I am glad to see that this is in an actual written response. That being said though, the officer I spoke to, had no clue to as of this, and had repeated about the anchor lines and guidelines being included.

Can we ask the gentleman, Where someone would look or how if we are stopped on the water for any reason, and an unknown officer does not know that answer. Where we can direct him to call to get that information?

Me personally, I would like to see it written somewhere that I can screenshot or print it, and have it laminated, so I could keep a copy on the boat with me.

[on the hook]

Ok...hehehe ....The regs state that at each end there WILL be a float, NOT an anchor, which is the norm....Now, would you have to put a float, then anchor, then float, then rope/chain and baited line??



btw, then what you're saying is...You can have a snood, then 24 more to end at 150'....Other than that, you could have 500' on each end?....

[mattio41]

Ron,

Can we make your email and his response a "Trotline Sticky" so that it is easily found for any future reference?

[crewstation]

I'll just stick to my two handlines with chicken legs on them.  Plenty of crabs for me to eat, Why do you need a bushel ??

So I can eat for five days straight.     Seriously, during the summer, I eat crabs almost every night.  

[king crab 48]

So I can eat for five days straight.     Seriously, during the summer, I eat crabs almost every night.  

OK guys I get the message. I will mind my own business in CT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Edaoud]

OK guys I get the message. I will mind my own business in CT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I can eat for five days straight.     Seriously, during the summer, I eat crabs almost every night.  

[Ron]

Ron, thank you for taking the time to write and post. I have the first question.

I am glad to see that this is in an actual written response. That being said though, the officer I spoke to, had no clue to as of this, and had repeated about the anchor lines and guidelines being included.

Can we ask the gentleman, Where someone would look or how if we are stopped on the water for any reason, and an unknown officer does not know that answer. Where we can direct him to call to get that information?

Me personally, I would like to see it written somewhere that I can screenshot or print it, and have it laminated, so I could keep a copy on the boat with me.

I can forward you a copy of the email so you can print it.

[Ron]

Ron,

Can we make your email and his response a "Trotline Sticky" so that it is easily found for any future reference?

I'll do a separate post exclusive to this and sticky it.

[mattio41]

I can forward you a copy of the email so you can print it.

If you would please do so, I would appreciate it.