Beneath the darkness of the November sky, the two men drive past the Eastern Shore fishing village of Neavitt, and pull up to a dock where Guy Spurry’s 31-year-old boat, the Voyager, rocks back and forth gently against the salty waves.
Watermen have been harvesting the seafood enjoyed by Marylanders for centuries. But only time will tell how long the tradition will last.
“It’s hard enough to make it as a waterman these days, given the fact that so many of the things that they’re harvesting — like crabs — the numbers are declining,” said Kate Livie, director of education at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum of St. Michaels.
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well unfortunately all the pollution being dumped into the bay has accelerated the demise of the bay. However the fact that the commercial waterman have long raped the bay of the bounty didn't help much. Ever heard of leaving some for future generations? guess not that's why the regs are the way they are.
ReplyDeleteDamn shame since the recreational guy can barely show his kids how to catch a dozen crabs chicken neckkin anymore.
Look at the way the commercial guys are raping the bay of the menhaden leaving nothing for the stripers, except juvenile crabs.
"Phillips explained that a layer of sediment covers the oysters reefs when left untouched. The oysters eventually die when covered by the sediment, she said."
ReplyDeleteFunniest thing i've read in awhile. So apparently oysters were never abundant and healthy in the bay until we came along to power dredge? Who woulda thunk