COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After two years of heavy restrictions on crabbing throughout the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland officials are considering eliminating one restriction watermen say is particularly harmful to their livelihoods.
The state may lift the ban on harvesting female crabs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 this year, said Brenda Davis, blue crab program manager for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The decision will be made by the department secretary and may come within the next few weeks.
Fisheries scientists have determined that because of increased numbers of crabs in the bay this year, the department may be able to make small adjustments to the 2010 harvest regulations "while still maintaining safe harvest levels," said Darlene Pisani, director of communications for DNR.
It's unlikely any other restrictions on crabbing will be lifted anytime soon, Davis and other state officials said.
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5 comments:
Horrible idea. The short-term replenishment shouldn't be a sign to start up harvesting females again. The bay needs years of replenishment(as well as a vast reduction of runoff from it's tributaries) if it's ever to come back.
This is an awful idea. I agree it is difficult for the waterman, but we need to think about the long term.
First good season and your going to change ? The regulations are working let them come back more before we deplete the crabs again !
Who got bribed here? Any kid from the 6th grade could tell you that killing the egg-laying poulation pretty much insures there won't be any eggs hatching, which (SURPRISE!!!) is where crabs come from.....these IDIOTS are supposed to be in charge of what??? the Dumb-ASS department of lunacy???
would not any sea food from around here. or any where else for that matter.
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