I strongly oppose HB1013. This bill places additional financial burdens on Virginia’s watermen by requiring them to pay out of pocket for a “problem” that is not yet supported by sufficient, conclusive research. Our watermen already operate on narrow margins, facing rising fuel costs, regulatory pressures, and unpredictable environmental conditions. Requiring them to absorb new costs without clear, evidence-based justification is unfair and harmful to their livelihoods. Additionally, HB1013 grants the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) broad authority to determine where designated areas will be established, with limited transparency and little meaningful input from the watermen who depend on these waters to make a living. Decisions of this magnitude should not be made without robust stakeholder engagement, clear standards, and accountability. Before imposing new mandates and expenses on working watermen, the Commonwealth should ensure that the underlying issue is well-researched, clearly defined, and broadly agreed upon by independent experts and affected stakeholders. HB1013 fails to meet that standard and risks shifting the cost of uncertainty onto those least able to bear it. For these reasons, I urge legislators to reject HB1013 and instead pursue a more collaborative, science-driven approach that protects both Virginia’s marine resources and the watermen who have long been responsible stewards of them.

I strongly oppose HB 1013- this will destroy the blue crab fishery. I'm a commercial fisherman who depends on this fishery. It's 90% of my income, I've been doing this for 40 years. Im currently a member of the crab management advisory committee. We're currently addressing this in the committee and feel that we're better suited to address it than the Virginia legislature at this time. If I am required to put these excluders in my pots I will see a big decline in catch and also the size of the crabs will be smaller and less desirable to the consumer.

I strongly object to this bill. The environmental group that has been pushing these excluders at VMRC meetings to require them in commercial and/or recreational crab pots has been unsuccessful multiple times, with no scientific data to support their claim. The impact on commercial crabbing if this bill is passed would be significant. It would sharply reduce the annual catch, cost commercial crabbers significant funds to purchase excluders, and may, in fact, put some out of business. I have spoken to many crabbers, none, including myself as a Va crabber, have never seen a terrapin on the western side of the Bay. However, some crabbers on the Va eastern shore do see an occasional terrapin in their crab pots. Specifically in the creeks and shallow waters less then 6 ft. Passing this bill would significantly reduce Virginia's commercial catch and cost watermen and our crab wholesalers/retailers' significant amounts of money.

I oppose this bill due to have never had a turtle in any of my pots in the 15 years that I've been crabbing in Virginia. This will put such a cost that will put the crab prices through the roof. On top of that it will put the commercial crabbers out of business due to cost. Virginia also would loose a ton of taxes due to sales tremendous reduction in crab sales.

I oppose this bill because in the nine years I’ve been working on the water. I’ve never had an issue nor seen turtles in my crab pots

I oppose this bill because in the 9 years I’ve been working on the water I have never seen turtles in my crab pots

I highly disagree with the turtle extruder. I have been crabbing for 15 years and have never caught a turtle. I don't know anyone personally that has caught a turtle. I believe the information that has been given is very wrong. Also the cost and th decline in catch will drastically impact or lively hood. Please do not let this bill pass

I strongly oppose hb1013 99% of the crab pots in Va are set in waters that contain no turtles that could enter a crab pot. The insert proposed is so restrictive that it would eliminate the catching of the higher more valuable jimmy crabs that people love to eat. Bills like these do not solve problems but they do make certain people/companies rich while the little man struggling to survive poorer.

Strongly oppose,

I oppose House bill 1013

Oppose I love my crabs.

Strongly oppose HB 1013 as it is a major costly investment to recreational and commercial fisherman when the state has data that doesn’t show the turtles being harmed by our means of fishing

I do not support HB1013 and I’m asking the House of Delegates to oppose this bill because I believe there is a lot of misinformation about the type of pot watermen will be used for crabbing.

I love turtle they are one of my favorite creatures. But this bill will affect the lively hood of Virginia crab fishing and would destroy the life of a watermen so I oppose this bill and please vote no.

Please vote YES on this.

I am in support of this bill.

Comments Document

On behalf of the Quiyoughcohannock and Warraskoyack Indian Tribes on the Surry Side of the James River, and as the Tribal River Keeper to the Monitor Merrimac and the Chesapeake Bay. I stand in solidarity in support of HB1013 and ask you to vote YES. It will help to preserve the sea animals not intended to be collected in crab pots. Thank you, Principal Chief of the Tribes.