Crabbing Liscense

[Steve Tevault]

Is it possible to get a commerical crab liscence in Md. at a resonable price or is that just wishful thinking? Could there be any chance of that in good ole Va?

[rj]

There are several different types of commercial crab licenses in Md..they range in price from $50 to $300

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/commercial/commlicenses.html

[Tom Powers]

The only way you can get a crab pot license in VA is to buy one from someone going of the business, and they are not cheap. Here is a link to some

http://www.mrc.state.va.us/othrlics.shtm

Tom

[done workin]

RJ, I was always under the impression that DNR wasn't selling anymore commercial crab licenses and that the only way to get them was to buy an operation to include the boat and equipment (At least that's waht is suppsed to happen). I thought this came up in past posts or did I just misunderstand the whole thing. Wouldn't be the first time.

Sometimes I not read too good and understand even less.

Forget it, I just went through and read allo fht informatrion on the website link concerning the apprenticeship program. Now I think it makes sense. You can still get them, but you gotta' earn them, so to speak.

[Capt.Nick]

You must buy a buisness..lic./equipt.However many people are not interested in the equipt. Many times it isn't what they want or they have their own.The owner of the license may have to sell the equipt.seperately or keep some like the boat,traps,trot line etc.for pleasure use.

[rj]

LCC's (limited crab catcher)are available through the apprenticeship program,,they are nowhere near the "Quota" for them

when the limited entry was established about ten years ago there were over 6000 LCC's out there,,through attrition there are about 3500 LCC's now,,there are plenty available for those who wish to participate in the apprenticeship program,,just do the paperwork and follow the dirrections from the DNR,,there are severeral members who participate and post on this board who have purchased existing licenses (business) for several thousand dollars and there are also some who have gone through the apprenticeship program and obtained their licenses in 2 years for $60--you just have to wait 2 years,,follow the dirrections,,do the required paperwork--not hard--just taking the time to do it.

some of the "Bigger" Licenses such as CB3's (mine)(unlimited crabbing gear and up to 300 pots) or TFL's (unlimited tidal fish license)(includes fish ,crabs oysters,clams etc)are more desirable to the commercial community and are in short supply.hence there are less available.and the apprentice ship requirements are more stringent than the requirements for the LCC's ,,,,you have to show w2's that prove income from commercial fishing in the previous years for CB3's and TFL's

LCC's do not need any proof of income,,most commercial trotliners work alone,they cannot afford to pay any helpers

[PHIRSCH]

You can buy a recreational VA Crab pot license which enables each person 5 pots ($29.00, 2005). Five hard crab pots OR five peeler pots and set them anywhere you want for the most part...not in a channel of course.

Pat