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Saturday, May 03, 2014

It's Time To Stop Tinkering And Just Ban Crabbing For One Year

A couple of years ago, the governor of Maryland stood on a dock on South River, a bushel of steamed crabs at his feet, telling everyone it was OK to eat Chesapeake blue crabs again — sort of like the mayor in "Jaws" telling everyone it was OK to go back in the water.

"I am glad to report that the population of the blue crab is now at a 19-year high," the governor said in April 2012. There was so much excitement about the comeback of the blue crab that the state launched a "True Blue" marketing campaign, identifying and promoting restaurants and markets selling Chesapeake lump.

That was then; this is now: For the second year in a row, the blue crab population is in a serious slump, and the number of females has dropped below the level science believes necessary to sustain the overall population.
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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not a tree-hugger - used to work on the water a long time ago. And I've thought for years that we should stop harvesting sooks. I'd like to see that enacted.

Anonymous said...

now to get virginia on board. thot you weren't supposed to harvest sooks, already.

Anonymous said...

until all the states work in unison nothing will change. pointless to have Marylanders follow guidelines that would help while Virginia waterman rape the bay!

Anonymous said...

When the rockfish became scarce we stopped it , it worked very well.

Anonymous said...

Hey 3:37. Note I said - "used to work on the water a LONG time ago." I'm not familiar with newer regulations, but that would be great if the females were off-limits. I'll check that out.