Virginia Waterman's Association: Recent Comments

Comment on TO: SENATORS WEBB and WARNER: SUPPORT A FISHERY RESOURCE DISASTER!

ana — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:31:07 GMT

Today I recieved an email from Senator Webb in response to the letter I wrote directing me to a May 29 "press release" on his website.
If anyone is interested in reading it the link is
http://webb.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=298542.

Comment on Virginia's Best Crabber

Ken — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:20:37 GMT

The catfish is a problem and at the present time there is no market for them.

One of the worse things about them is that they are always spawning. It makes
no difference what time of year that you cut one open you will find row.

This link will tell you more
http://virginiawaterman.org/files/4/8/3/2/1/120414-112384/Pages_from_blue_catfish.pdf
Blue Catfish is a Bad Actor

Comment on Virginia's Best Crabber

Mary Stuart — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:03:15 GMT

On that show yesterday, Hearsay with Cathy Lewis, a man was interviewed who said that the catfish are part of the problem, as they were never native to these waters, introduced as sport fish, and they gobble up baby crabs. I think the catfish should be harvested.

Comment on TO: SENATORS WEBB and WARNER: SUPPORT A FISHERY RESOURCE DISASTER!

ana sanford — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:52:55 GMT

This is the letter i sent via the two Senator's websites you posted above:

On May 2,2008,Governor Kaine requested that US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez perform a disaster assistance evaluation pertaining to Virginia’s Blue Crab fishery and ultimately declare a Fishery Resource Disaster.
On April 28,2008 VMRC at one single meeting voted,approving legislation that took away FIVE MONTHS of the Virginia licensed commercial watermen's right to crab and also requires further restrictions on individuals in the commercial fishery next year,
a 30% reduction in the amount of gear that commercial crabbers can use.
This takes away from "full time" watermen the right to work for five months of the year in the way that for some of them they have been doing for many years.
This is a very quick,strict and severe legislative measure affecting
commercial crabbers.
My husband has been fishing and crabbing for 30 years.I don't know what is possible for you to do but perhaps you would give this subject some thought and consideration.
I will close in saying again that
the April 2008 VMRC legislation is a very quick,strict and severe legislative move against full time watermen in Virginia.

Ana Sanford
Eastern Shore,Va.

The following is from the VMRC website:
VMRC meeting 4/28/08 - audio item 13
13. PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of proposed regulations for the 2008 crabbing season. The Commission voted 7-2, with associate members Ernie Bowden and Wayne McLeskey against, for a series of regulation changes designed to cut the crab harvest by 34 percent this year, to provide for a more stable and sustainable blue crab population. That was done by abolishing the winter dredge fishery, closing the fall season for female crabs on Oct. 27 (five weeks early) eliminating the five-pot recreational crab license, requiring two additional, and larger, cull rings on crab pots and reducing the number of hard crab pots per license by 15 percent as of May 1 and another 15 percent next year, and reducing the number of peeler pots per license by 30 percent on May 1. The Commission also agreed to ask for any state financial aid for dredgers who will be out of work this winter due to the regulation change.

Comment on Delegate Albert Pollard Addresses Water Quality and Sources of Pollution to Virginia Waterman's Association

Anonymous — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:34:36 GMT

It should be noted that the Eastern Shore Waterman’s Association and the Tangier Waterman’s Association have also spoken with Ms. Washington.
Ms. Washington has filed an appeal on one of the new regulations imposed by VMRC.
Hopefully notice of that appeal will be published on this website.

Comment on Virginia's Best Crabber

Mary Stuart — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:36:54 GMT

I am confused about this fish. Is this fish native to the Bay? Is it bad that the fish eats so many crabs or is it bad because the crab population is down in general, so any fish eating crabs takes away from the fishermen? Should these fish be harvested more in some way so they won't eat a bunch of baby crabs?

Comment on The Virginia Waterman is not the Culprit but the Victim

Bill Kirby — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:18:49 GMT

The Chesapeake Bay water shed extends beyond VA and MD. WV, PA and probably DE should be involved in helping make the bay better. Possibly NY?
As a commercial license holder with 100 crab pots and 7000+ oyster in aquaculture I disagree with the premise that DC, Richmond and Annapolis, or Dover, Charleston, Harrisburg, and Albany owe watermen anything! We, choose our livelihoods, just like all the other people who live in the water shed, we know what life is about and we must be responsible for our actions. However, I whole-heartedly agree that EVERYONE in the water shed owes the Chesapeake Bay EVERYTHING!!! Any funds generated should go to the bay thru various programs developed to correct all the problem areas you note in your article.

Comment on The Virginia Waterman is not the Culprit but the Victim

rick s — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:49:34 GMT

Thought this was a good article - like the way the Pilot reports. Seems to be they get the facts and don't take sides.
Regarding the present problem with pollution - There is another problem brewing involving bacteria.
Check out , in the search box enter "water quality standards" then look for "deq.virginia.gov/info/waterstandards". There is an address if you want to address the Proposal.
Seems DEQ has proposed that the SWCB change its standards of bacteria levels in recreational fresh water. The present standard is 126 colony forming bacteria per 100 milliliters. They want to up it to 206 per 100 milliters. That's a 60% increase.
Bacteria can become resistant to antibotics. Do we want more bacteria washing downstream into the Bay?
Your call.

Comment on The Virginia Waterman is not the Culprit but the Victim

rick s — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:50:30 GMT

Nice article by the "Pilot". They seem to get the fact straight and to the point.
But, as to pollution, check out va's DEQ. Presently the water quality standard (for fresh water recreational areas" is 126 colony forming bacteria per 100 milliters of water. DEQ has proposed that the State Water Control Board institute a change to those standards. It is suggested that the level be increased to 206 colony forming bacter.
This does not sound like a "clean up". There is a comment period until May 30.
Check out "va deq" on the internet - then search under "water quality standards" - then down to "deq.virginia.gov/info/waterstandards/html"
If the increase is granted it will also allow waste water treatment plant to permits to increase the bacteria released.
This is for fresh water standards. But, most fresh water flow through streams and other water courses into the Bay.

Comment on The Virginia Waterman is not the Culprit but the Victim

Anonymous — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:33:20 GMT

Good article and for the most part accurate.
The exception is the overharvesting part.
Fewer crabbers crab every year. Fewer pots go in the water and fewer crabs get caught.
Overharvesting is what VMRC has said and spun for years (15 of them).
Why do they do this?
To cover the mismanagement of the Department of Natural Resources.
One Agency will not point the finger at another agency.
It is worthy to note that in Gov. Kaine’s letter to the Secretary of Commerce overharvesting was not mentioned one time. Instead the governor put the cause where it belongs, on water quality and loss of habitat.
Hopefully that message has been sent loud and strong. Department of Natural Resources get your act together. Do your job.
EPA you are failing too.
Is the Bay going to be clean by 2010?