NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
March 17, 2007
Vol. 38, No. 101
For more information, contact Roy Miller, 302-739-9914, Fisheries, or Joanna C. Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Proposed Changes to Crab Pot Requirements, Oyster Bag Tagging to Be Topic of March 31 Hearing
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold a public hearing on proposed modifications to shellfish regulations governing crab pots and oyster bag tagging at 7 p.m. Monday, March 31 in the DNREC auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover.
Proposed revisions to Shellfish Regulation 3716 would allow only one color code to be used per vessel for crab pots even if the allowable limit of up to three crab pot licensees fish their pots from the same vessel. This proposed change will facilitate enforcement of the pot limits and will simplify painting and retrieving of crab pot floats for those crabbers who routinely partner to fish from the same vessel.
No changes are proposed to the numbering system for each crabber except that if two or three crabbers fish from the same vessel, then all numbers must be included on the 2’ by 2’ marker panel displayed on the vessel. One of the numbers from a crabber on that vessel also must be displayed on a color-coded buoy attached to each crab pot fished from that vessel. This regulation is proposed to go into effect Jan. 1, 2009 in order to give the crabbers an opportunity to re-paint their floats at the end of the season if necessary to comply with the new regulation.
The proposed revision to Shellfish Regulation 3771 would modify the required procedures for applying oyster harvesting tags. Each tag issued by the Department shall be cinched around the top of the oyster bag and locked such that the bag may not be opened nor oysters removed from the bag without breaking the tag or seal.
Bags shall be tagged prior to the vessel leaving the shellfish harvest grounds and returning to port. This change will facilitate enforcement of tagging requirements and should discourage re-using oyster tags after the bags are emptied. This regulation would go into effect immediately upon approval.
Individuals may present their comments either at the hearing or in writing to Lisa Vest, Hearing Officer, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or by e-mail to Lisa.Vest@state.de.us. The record will remain open for written or e-mail comments until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2008.
For more information, please contact the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.
