DNR Buyback netted 530 LCC licenses

[BILL H]

At least that is what I think I heard (unless I was asleep at the wheel) on WYPR this morning. $2,260 per license, and will continue until the money runs out or DNR has purchased 1.327 licenses.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has to date purchased and permanently retired more than 530 Limited Crab Catcher (LCC) commercial crabbing licenses through its LCC buy-back program. To further reduce latent effort (fishing effort that is not currently deployed) the agency is also proposing a change in regulations governing the LCC License.
“With the purchase of more than 530 licenses, the buy-back program is certainly meeting our expectations,” said DNR secretary John Griffin. “However, while retiring these unused licenses is an important component of our efforts to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab population, additional actions are needed to ensure a sustainable fishery.”
The license program, which was launched in July, works on a first-come, first-served basis. With $3 million in Federal disaster funding dedicated to the program, the agency will continue to pay $2,260 per license until the budget is exhausted, or until it has purchased 1,327 — more than one-third — of the 3,676 existing LCC licenses.
“Buying back these licenses is just one step we're taking to improve the management of the blue crab fishery,” said Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “We are also looking at ways to improve harvest reporting and working closely with Natural Resources Police to improve enforcement. These actions, along with the Bay wide reduction in female harvest will help maintain a healthy blue crab population in the Chesapeake.”
DNR is proposing new regulations that will require holders of inactive LCC licenses to choose between two options if they do not want to sell back their licenses. DNR developed these options based on extensive public input on the issue of unused commercial crabbing licenses.
An inactive licensee can declare the license frozen until the crab population reaches a target abundance, at which time the Department will develop a process for re-entry into the fishery. These licenses will not be permanently retired, and can be transferred during the time it is temporarily frozen. There will be no annual renewal fee for these licenses during the temporary freeze.
An inactive licensee can declare the LCC license a “male only” license, allowing only the harvest of male crabs. The licensee will be able to transfer the license only to a family member or leave it to a beneficiary, and the male only license will not revert back to a full license regardless of the abundance of the crab population.
Once a license is declared ‘frozen’ or ‘male only’ the status of the license cannot be changed, even through the transfer process. Currently an LCC holder may use up to 50 crab pots, trotlines, nets, dip nets, traps, pounds and scrapes to harvest crabs for sale.
Over the past year, Maryland was awarded $15 million in Federal Blue Crab Disaster Funds from NOAA‘s National Marine Fisheries Service, in response to a request from Governors O’Malley and Kaine, and advocacy by the Maryland Congressional Delegation under the leadership of Senator Barbara Mikulski.
Maryland’s Federal Blue Crab Fisheries Disaster Funding is being directed toward work for watermen, addressing latent effort, a quality crab meat assurance program, economic diversification into aquaculture, packaging equipment upgrades for processors, a seafood marketing program for blue crabs and enhanced harvest reporting and enforcement of crabbing restrictions.
Over the past two years, Governor Martin O’Malley worked with Maryland legislators to identify $6 million to fund a work program through which more than 500 watermen have conducted oyster bar rehabilitation activities.

[bodkin crabber]

They are talking about the inactive lisences and not the LCC's declared active as mine is.

[Thunnus Amongus]

They are talking about the inactive lisences and not the LCC's declared active as mine is.

Inactive licenses...the ones not taking crabs...doing nothing to harm the bay.. Making an impact. LOL.

[OlCrab]

I have an active LCC, however age and health issues have impacted my crabbing opportunities. I'm not sure wealther to take the buy out or sell the LCC with my gear.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[POLECAT]

Most people who "buy" LCC's usually have all the gear they need and want ONLY the license.


Depending on what gear you want to get rid of, may or may not hamper the price you get.... not the price you want to get.

If your gear includes an electric or hydraulic line winder, an auto dipper, and other gear most LCC license holders want (and do not have) you can expect to unload that gear with the license easily. However if your gear consists of a leaky row boat, a pair of crab tongs, a measuring gage, trot line, floats, anchors, and trivial items like these...... they won't be worth much or anything at all to the prospective buyer.

Some times you make out better $$$$ wise by parting out the items separately.


Before the buyback LCC's were available for anywhere from $2000.00 to $4000.00 with most right around the $3000.00 range. A $4000.00 purchase was a rare exception. Times have changed.... There's fewer LCC licenses and along with them there are fewer crabs to catch. There's also the unknown..... What next will DNR do to further restrict these licenses????????


When it comes down to it, the price it sells for is determined by you and you alone if you do not have to sell. Less if you want to sell. Lesser still if you must sell.

DNR is offering $2260.00. You can expect to get more than that and make two people happy!

My advice... Take Geritol and keep on crabbing!

[Reel Machine]

I had a lcc and let it go, and now I am looking on getting one back? Have about 2500-2600? Please let me know? Andrew 410-703-8290 Thanks

[farmcall]

I'm interested in purchasing an lcc, anyone interested in selling. THANKS

[BowMovements]

Come on guys this is gonna be another one of those threads. Let's sell them as a business and not the licenses before some people become disgruntle. Even if its just a dipnet. Polecats estimates on pricing is right in the ballpark. There are a few for sale on CraigsList for 3800 to 4500. My guess is with the dwindling amount of LCC's they will start to fetch 4500 or more very soon. There is also some on MWA. (Maryland Watermans Assoc.)