Over-crabbing in Virginia?
A panel of scientists, convened by the government to figure out why the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay is dwinding, has blamed the probleom on over-fishing.
The Associated Press report out of Newport News yesterday said Virginia watermen have exceeded the targeted fishing rate for eight of the past 10 years.
The report offered no recommendations, but they will come shortly, likely in the form of some restrictions, like a shorter season. It will be interesting to see whtehr they address the witner dredge fishery, where Virginians take crabs while they're burrowed in the mud, hibernating. State officials have always maintained it's a small part of the fishery, but Maryland officials banned the practice long ago. Also, Va. lets crabbers take out pregnant crabs and remove their egg sacks, or sponges, while Md. does not.
Comments
Virginia has a history of overfishing. they have no significant oyster harvest because of it. They are short sighted. We need to get them to stop winter the winter dredge and the harvesting of females with eggs. They will not is my guess.
Posted by: cheflovesbeer | January 23, 2008 3:54 PM
Virginia needs to immediately cease and desist from winter dredging and severly curtail their annual crab harvest in order to preserve the Chesapeake for all citizens.
St Augustine, FL
Posted by: Bobv Hincken | January 23, 2008 4:20 PM