New Recreational Dungeness Crab Regulations Aim to Reduce “Ghost Fishing” & More

October 5, 2016

https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/new-recreational-dungeness-crab-regulations/

Thanks. Just what I was looking for.

So looking forward to crabbing this year, it has been a few years since I've dipped my nets!!

I really like the GO ID idea. It's suppose to help with making sure the person registered is the one using the trap. Hopefully to monitor crab theft. I hope they enforce it and fine the heck out of poachers stealing crabs and not as a means to fine people for being out of regs.

I need to get rigging! Hoping for calm seas for the opener. 7 foot or less and I'll be out.

The GO ID, I wonder like for me, do I put mine & my son's? Or does one of us have to pack a note? Or clip on buoys with our own ID?

The GO ID, I wonder like for me, do I put mine & my son's? Or does one of us have to pack a note? Or clip on buoys with our own ID?

Good question.
On one hand it just reads 'the operator'. It doesn't say there can only be one. So why not put both #'s on it.
On the other hand, what's to keep a thief from writing their GO# should they see LEO coming? The GO# would check out, LEO leaves, and the trap and buoy are never to be seen again.

The GO ID, I wonder like for me, do I put mine & my son's? Or does one of us have to pack a note? Or clip on buoys with our own ID?

Good question.
On one hand it just reads 'the operator'. It doesn't say there can only be one. So why not put both #'s on it.
On the other hand, what's to keep a thief from writing their GO# should they see LEO coming? The GO# would check out, LEO leaves, and the trap and buoy are never to be seen again.

some crabbers have taken to etching the GO ID# into the buoy itself.  that way someone else can't just write it on there or erase what was written there before.  As for Rich's question, I don't think it will be necessary as long as you are crabbing together, or you could always write your son a note.  If a warden pulls up on your son and you're like 100 yards away pulling a different buoy, they won't care as long as they can ask you.  if you for whatever reason can't go out, and cody is out there pulling your gear, just give him a note with your goID.

I asked a warden up here about this.  He was pretty evasive/noncommittal, but the jist of our conversation was that they wouldn't be checking GO IDs on the water so much, but would be checking them on the beach or the dock.

I think best practice is to give a note, since checking each other's traps with permission of the owner is totally standard up here.  If pulling the traps out of the water and bringing them to the beach, I think its best to bring your own traps in if possible.  Otherwise a note and a phone number where you can be reached.

With the problems we have had with theft, I hope this cuts down on it at least a little.  It might not solve the pot raiding problem, but it could help the outright theft.

That NuCanoe, is a very wide, stable and dark colored yak. Would be easy to lay out in it, with NVG.......just sayin. 

Poachers beware! Can't wait.