CCA Virginia Alert Number Three (3) on Blue Crabs

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs-Need Your Help

Public Hearing-Blue Crab Fisheries-VMRC Meeting-April 22nd-12:00 Noon

Here is a real chance to make a difference for the Chesapeake Bay blue crab! We askyou to immediately send a letter or email to: Jack Travelstead, Chief, FisheriesManagement at VMRC concerning proposed amendments to the crab regulations.

Email jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov

The proposed amendments are designed to eliminate overfishing in the blue crab fisheries. The only public hearing will be at the Commission meeting on the 22nd of April at 12:00 Noon. The purpose of the proposed amendments are to respond to a persistent low abundance of blue crabs, relatively low harvest levels, and recent downturns in the production of juvenile crabs. In addition, a recent scientific review of Virginia’s blue crab management plan has reinforced the Commission’s commitment to reducing the 2008 harvest. By reducing the allowable harvest levels, VMRC will attempt to prevent overfishing, augment the potential spawning stock and increase the abundance of age 1+ (2.4 inches and greater) blue crabs.

The Commission proposes amendments to several of its regulations on blue crab harvest relating to crab potting, dredging, catch limits, peeler pots and recreational crabbing. The Commission proposes the following management measures that will require amendments to regulations listed above.

1) Reductions, from 10 to 30%, in crab pot and peeler pot limits. Crab pot limits currently range from 100 pots to 500 pots. There has been a decline in active participation, from 24 to 34% (depending on pot category license), in the crabpot fishery, since 2003. However, the number of fishermen that remain eligibleto harvest has increased, from 1 to 5%, since 2003. Peeler pot licensees arecurrently limited to 300 pots, and VMRC records indicate that 62% of peeler potlicensees in 2001 set and fished less than 300 peeler pots. The recent decreases in the number of active crabbers, is a response to the decade-long condition of low stock abundance and other economic factors. However, there is still an overcapacity of gear in these fisheries, to the extent that necessary reductions in harvest cannot occur without further reductions in the numbers of pots set and fished. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee supports a reduction of30% in the number of crab pots fished by an individual licensee and a reductionof 50% of the peeler pots fished by an individual licensee. The CCA VA FMC believes that a reduction in the amount of gear in the water will aid to increasethe stocks of the blue crab in the Chesapeake Bay.

2) Under the authority established by Section 28.2-707 of the Code of Virginia, the Commission will also consider proposals to shorten or eliminate the winter dredge fishery season and to lower the current bushel limit (51 bushels).Additionally, the Commission will consider area-specific management options, wherein crab dredging on hard bottom areas would be prohibited. At this timethe fishery is limited to 53 individuals. However, the abundance of the stock and female crabs remains very low, and the winter dredge fishery harvests almost exclusively (97%) female crabs which are the same crabs that comprisethe following spring and summer spawning stock. There are also varying but significant amounts of waste (dredge damaged female crabs), depending onarea and time of the year, associated with this fishery. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee supports an elimination of the winter crab dredge fishery. The crab dredge fishery is destructive to the mostly female crabs thatbury in the bottom of the bay over the winter. Also, the crab dredge fishery is destructive to the flora and fauna, sponges, mussels, coral, sea worms and otherbottom dwellers and structures that provide food and shelter for crabs and finfish. In addition, the crabs that are harvested from the crab dredge fisheryare a very low quality product. At least as many crabs are broken and killed by the dredges as are landed ---some estimates say the waste is up to 2 to 3 times the harvest. It just makes no sense to use gear with that kind of waste.

3) The Commission will consider a proposal to establish a 6 ½-inch maximum size limit on mature female crabs. This size limit would require all female crabs greater than 6 ½ inches be returned to the water, and this measure would protect these crabs, for spawning. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee does not support this proposal for Virginia because there are very few 6 ½” female crabs in Virginia waters. We believe the culling burden on thecrabs and harvesters will exceed any benefit that may be achieved. A closure in the fall of the year on migrating females would be more effective.

4) Mandatory use of 2 3/8" cull rings in tributaries will be considered, primarily toallow additional sublegal male crabs and some smaller mature females to escape from crab pots. The current regulation requires at least two unobstructed cull rings (one 2-5/16 inches in diameter and one 2-3/16 inches in diameter) in any crab pot. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee supports the proposal of mandatory use of 2 3/8" cull rings in tributaries.

5) Mandatory use of peeler pot cull rings will be considered, for the first time. Currently, only peeler traps or pounds are required to use cull rings. Cull (or escape) rings have been shown to reduce waste in other fisheries and will augment the spawning potential. The CCA VA Fisheries ManagementCommittee supports the use of peeler pot cull rings because the cull rings willreduce the number of peelers harvested and the crabs that escape will augmentthe spawning potential.

6) The Commission will consider reducing the number of pots a recreational licensee may set and fish. Currently, the license allows 5 pots. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee does not support the suspension of therecreational crab license of up to 5 pots. The harvest of blue crabs by recreational fishermen is not significant. There should be no reduction in the amount of allowed recreational gear until such time that there is evidence thatthe reduction will actually make a difference in the stock recovery. Certainly if there were a moratorium on the commercial fishery then we would support a similar restriction.

7) The Commission will consider a proposal to revoke any crab license of anylicensee that has received 2 crab violations, within a 12-month period. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee supports the proposal to revoke anycrab license of any licensee that has received 2 serious crab violations, within a 12-month period. For example, if a crabber’s pot were blown from the edge of a channel into the channel during a storm then that would not be considered a serious violation. Said another way, a serious violation is one that harms the resource: undersized crabs, exceeding catch or pot limits, fishing during closedseasons, etc,

8) Establishment of bushel limits by area or season will be considered. There is currently a 51-bushel limit, for the crab pot fishery, from March 17 through May

31. The CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee supports bushel limits. The CCA VA FMC supports a 35-bushel limit for crab pots and a 6-bushel limit for peeler pots. CCA VA supports bushel limits during any open season.

9) The Commission will consider establishing closed seasons to conserve female crabs. This measure is intended primarily to conserve female crabs, especiallythose crabs that migrate down-bay during late fall and comprise the next year’s spring and summer spawning stock. The CCA VA Fisheries ManagementCommittee supports establishing closed seasons to conserve female crabs thatmigrate down the bay during the late fall and because that harvest comprises the next year’s females and summer spawning stock.

A personal letter in your own words concerning the change in the blue crab regulation would be the best way to communicate your desires regarding the blue crab fishery. If you do not have the time for a personal letter then there is a sample letter provided below. For your letter or email to become part of the record it must be received by 5:00 PM, Monday, April 21, 2008. Address your letter or email to:

Jack Travelstead, Chief, Fisheries Management Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2600 Washington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607 Email jack.travelstead@mrc.virginia.gov

Sample Letter

Jack Travelstead, Chief, Fisheries Management Virginia Marine Resources Commission 2600 Washington Avenue Newport News, VA 23607 Dear Mr. Travelstead, I would like to comment on the change in regulation for the blue crab fishery that is advertised

for public hearing on the 22nd of April. The mission statement of the VMRC states “The Marine Resources Commission serves as stewards of Virginia's marine and aquatic resources, and protectors of its tidal waters and homelands, for present and future generations.”

In my opinion, the time has come for Commission to act and revise the regulations of the blue crab fishery. I would like to recommend that the following changes in the regulations.

  1. I support a reduction of 30% in the number of crab pots fished by an individuallicensee and a reduction of 50% of the peeler pots fished by an individual licensee.
  2. I support an elimination of the winter crab dredge fishery. The crab dredgefishery is destructive to the mostly female crabs that bury in the bottom of thebay over the winter. Also, the crab dredge fishery is destructive to the flora and fauna, sponges, mussels, coral, sea worms and other bottom dwellers and structure that provide food and shelter for crabs and finfish. In addition, the crabs that are harvested from the crab dredge fishery are a very low quality product. At least as many crabs are broken and killed by the dredges as are landed ---some estimates say the waste is up to 2 to 3 times the harvest.
  3. I do not support a proposal to establish a 6 ½-inch maximum size limit on mature female crabs for Virginia because there are very few 6 ½” female crabs in Virginia waters. We believe the culling burden on the crabs and the harvesters will exceed any benefit that may be achieved. A closure in the fall of the year on migrating females would be more effective.
  4. I support the proposal mandatory use of 2 3/8" cull rings in tributaries.
  5. I support the use of peeler pot cull rings because the cull rings will reduce thenumber of peelers harvested and the crabs that escape will augment the spawning potential.
  6. I do not support the suspension of the recreational crab license of up to 5 pots.The harvest of blue crabs by recreational fishermen is not significant. There should be no reduction in the amount of allowed recreational gear until such time that there is evidence that the reduction will actually make a difference inthe stock recovery. Certainly if there were a moratorium on the commercialfishery then I would support a similar restriction.
  7. I support the proposal to revoke any crab license of any licensee that has received 2 serious crab violations, within a 12-month period. , A serious violation is one that harms the resource: undersized crabs, exceeding catch orpot limits, fishing during closed seasons, etc,
  8. I support 35-bushel limit for crab pots and a 6-bushel limit for peeler pots. I support bushel limits during any open season.
  9. I support establishing closed seasons to conserve female crabs that migratedown the bay during the late fall and because that harvest comprises the next year’s females and summer spawning stock.

Sincerely,

Name

Address

City State Zip

Phone

Frank A. Kearney III Co-Chairman CCA VA Fisheries Management Committee

FAKIII@bigfoot.com

CCA Virginia Website http://www.ccavirginia.org/

CCA Virginia Email CCAVA@cox.net