Commercial Fishing
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2014
POTOMAC
RIVER
CRABBING RESTRICTIONS |
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The Potomac River crabbing season, sizes and commercial pot, harvest and time
limits for the Potomac River Fisheries Commission are as follows: |
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2014 Mature Female Crab CLOSED SEASON |
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It shall be unlawful for any person to take or catch, or attempt to take or
catch any MATURE FEMALE crabs by any means in the Potomac River
during the
CLOSED SEASON as follows: |
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Above
St. Clements Island/Hollis Marsh: 9/18/2014 to 10/2/2014
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Below
St. Clements Island/Hollis Marsh: 10/3/2014 to 10/17/2014 |
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| Crab Season (open) |
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| Crab Pot Season: |
April 1 through November 30 |
| Trotlines & Dip Nets: |
April 1 through November 30 |
| Peeler Traps: |
May 1 through June 30
(traps must be removed by July 1) |
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| Hard Crabs: |
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| Males and Immature Females: |
April 1 through November 30 |
| Mature Females: |
April 1 through November 30 |
| Soft and Peeler Crabs: |
May 1 through October 30 |
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Crab Size Limits It shall be
unlawful for any person to take, catch, keep in floats, or have in possession
any: |
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(1) hard crabs, except mature female crabs, less than 5 ¼” inches
from April 1 through July 9 and hard crabs, except mature female crabs,
less than 5 ½ inches from July 10 through the end of the season.
(2) peeler crabs less than 3 ½ inches.
(3) sponge crabs, spawn crab, blooming female crab, mother crab or the
female crab from which the egg pouch or bunion has been removed - of any
size. |
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Effective July 10, 2008; all hard males, hard females, peelers and soft
shell crabs shall be kept separate from each other. |
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| 2014 Size Limits |
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Minimum |
| Hard Crabs: |
April 1st through July 9th
July 10th through Nov. 30th |
5 ¼”
5 ½” |
| Mature Females: |
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None |
| Peeler Crabs: |
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3 ½” |
| Soft Crabs: |
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None |
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Commercial Pot Limits: 285,
380, and 475 |
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Commercial Time Limits: It
shall be unlawful for any person to take or catch crabs between sunset and one
hour before sunrise, or to land or unload crabs earlier than sunrise or later
than sunset. |
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Summary of Crab Potting Regulations |
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Regulations: Crab pot longlines were added as
an alternate crabbing method.
Longline Crabbing Summary. |
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