3CATSAILOR
Well-Known Member
So, as I understand it, commerical crabbers who usually have hundreds of pots in the Bay do NOT have to have the large supposed turtle rings on their pots. BUT, the little guy who back in the day was allowed 4 pots off of his dock is now allowed just 2 (cut in half) from the 4 and that's if you can still catch crabs off of your dock.
But, you have to have the large rings on your pots. They don't. But you do. When I asked DNR why there seems to be a double standard, they said it is not a double standard. I am not sure how they were able to say it with a straight face. They claim it is to protect the turtles. In 50 years I have been crabbing, I have never seen turtles in any of my pots at my dock. However, it is not to say that perhaps some people might. But, if they did, I believe folks who have pots right at their property usually check it often and therefore would let any turtles out if it did somehow occur. People wouldn't want the turtles to eat the bait intended for crabs.
I doubt the commerical crabbers check their pots nearly as often as someone would right at their house.
DNR also told me the rings are not big enough to let legal sized crabs out. Just turtles could go in and out. Look closely at the ring and tell me what you think. I think legal sized crabs can get out. If a turle can, why not a good sized crab? I think this law is just another law Maryland has to step on homeowners rights and help the commierical watermen who likely lobbied the State legislators. Another case of caving to Special Interest Groups.
Of course our Watermen have every right to catch as many crabs as they can to support their livelihood. In particular when trying to catch crabs seems to be getting harder every year. But, how is this not a double standard? And if the turtle rings were so important, then why wasn't it done many years ago? The doiuble standard is not just obvious. It is blatant.
And now they say oh, by the way, the crabs have heavy metals in them. So, don't eat them. I don't think trying to scare people will work too well either.
Crab traps with turtle excluders attached are available at many retailers. Maryland DNR photo.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland’s blue crab season officially opens April 1 in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries and the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays. With the opening of a new season comes an increased presence by Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers to educate the public and enforce laws pertaining to crabbing, particularly with recreational crabbers and owners of private shorelines.
But, you have to have the large rings on your pots. They don't. But you do. When I asked DNR why there seems to be a double standard, they said it is not a double standard. I am not sure how they were able to say it with a straight face. They claim it is to protect the turtles. In 50 years I have been crabbing, I have never seen turtles in any of my pots at my dock. However, it is not to say that perhaps some people might. But, if they did, I believe folks who have pots right at their property usually check it often and therefore would let any turtles out if it did somehow occur. People wouldn't want the turtles to eat the bait intended for crabs.
I doubt the commerical crabbers check their pots nearly as often as someone would right at their house.
DNR also told me the rings are not big enough to let legal sized crabs out. Just turtles could go in and out. Look closely at the ring and tell me what you think. I think legal sized crabs can get out. If a turle can, why not a good sized crab? I think this law is just another law Maryland has to step on homeowners rights and help the commierical watermen who likely lobbied the State legislators. Another case of caving to Special Interest Groups.
Of course our Watermen have every right to catch as many crabs as they can to support their livelihood. In particular when trying to catch crabs seems to be getting harder every year. But, how is this not a double standard? And if the turtle rings were so important, then why wasn't it done many years ago? The doiuble standard is not just obvious. It is blatant.
And now they say oh, by the way, the crabs have heavy metals in them. So, don't eat them. I don't think trying to scare people will work too well either.
Crab traps with turtle excluders attached are available at many retailers. Maryland DNR photo.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland’s blue crab season officially opens April 1 in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries and the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays. With the opening of a new season comes an increased presence by Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers to educate the public and enforce laws pertaining to crabbing, particularly with recreational crabbers and owners of private shorelines.
