2023 Blue Crab Recreational Effort and Recommendations Survey
Please help us improve the blue crab fishery in South Carolina by taking this short survey.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is seeking input from recreational crabbers and the public regarding the blue crab fishery along our coast, and we value your input.
This survey is strictly confidential and all data collected will be used for research purposes only. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete.
1.
How many years have you been recreationally crabbing in South Carolina?
Less than one year
1-2 years
3-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16-20 years
21+ years
Not applicable
2.
Have you purchased a commercial crabbing license to use over 2 pots for recreational purposes?
Yes
No
3.
If so, how many traps do you use for recreational purposes with your commercial license?
1-5
6-10
11-25
26-50
Does not apply
4.
Would you still purchase a commercial license if the recreational license allowed you to fish up to ten traps?
Yes
No
Does not apply
5.
In past year, July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, approximately how many days did you attempt to catch blue crabs in South Carolina?
6.
In what coastal South Carolina counties did you go crabbing during the past year, July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023? Please check all that apply.
Horry County
Georgetown County
Charleston County
Colleton County
Beaufort County
Jasper County
7.
How would you consider the number of crabs per trap you caught in the past year?
Above average
Average
Below average
8.
How satisfied are you with the current blue crab fishery in South Carolina?
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
9.
How do you feel the blue crab population has changed over your crabbing career?
Greatly increased
Increased
Stayed the same
Decreased
Greatly decreased
10.
How supportive would you be to reduce the total number of commercial crabbing licenses sold?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
11.
How supportive would you be to reduce the total number of commercial traps per harvester, including peeler traps?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
12.
How supportive would you be of seasonal protection of female crabs when the population is low?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
13.
How supportive would you be of a short (two weeks) "all traps out" period to allow for the removal of abandoned traps?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
14.
If the state implemented a short (two weeks) 'all traps out' period to allow for the removal of abandoned traps, in which month(s) would you prefer the closure happen?
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
A Flexible Date
Not in Favor
15.
How supportive would you be of a recreational creel limit for blue crabs?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
16.
How supportive would you be of a recreational license endorsement to allow for more than 2 recreational traps?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
17.
How supportive would you be of closing certain areas to crabbing if the population crashes?
1 - Not supportive at all
2- Somewhat unsupportive
3 - Neither for or against
4 - Somewhat supportive
5 - Very supportive
Additional comments/suggestions
18.
Do you have any suggestions for improving South Carolina’s management of blue crabs?