Catching Crabs

[Nikkey]

One of the dive spots I visit is also a favourite of the local crabbers and they are constantly baddgering you to bring them up crabs or lost traps if you go near the dock. But I am curious if you need a license or permit, I know you are supposed to have one to set traps but does that apply to just picking crabs up out of the ocean?

[olliric]

Hi Nikkey,
Of course you do, you are in Canada the most regulated and over managed place on the planet! You need the same license of the trappers (25 bucks), same rules apply. 98% of the crabs you see in Vancouver waters from June onwards are undersize and illigal to harvest. The time to catch them is early in the season april-may when the boaters have not fished them out yet. I do get the occasional legal size one later on but you can't count on it for dinner.
Cheers
Giovanni

Originally Posted by Nikkey

One of the dive spots I visit is also a favourite of the local crabbers and they are constantly baddgering you to bring them up crabs or lost traps if you go near the dock. But I am curious if you need a license or permit, I know you are supposed to have one to set traps but does that apply to just picking crabs up out of the ocean?

[Nikkey]

Thanks Giovanni, I'm pretty sure a lot of them don't follow the legal size. I've seen them bucket pretty small crabs. I have always wondered why they don't just dive for them but instead bait the traps and wait on the dock. Seems to me you would catch a lot more diving.

[tylerz]

yes they would if they knew how to dive. One day I go crabbing I'll give a shout.
Ciao
Giovanni

Originally Posted by Nikkey

Thanks Giovanni, I'm pretty sure a lot of them don't follow the legal size. I've seen them bucket pretty small crabs. I have always wondered why they don't just dive for them but instead bait the traps and wait on the dock. Seems to me you would catch a lot more diving.

[laminar]

If you dive on Vancouver beaches, just be sure to watch out for fishing line, trap lines, boats and other hazards! It can be kinda messy in certain areas (I'm thinking the wharf off of Jericho beach, for example).

Pete