The report, which suggests opening up to 1,000 acres of habitat to watermen, has alarmed groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. It issued a statement saying there is no scientific justification for the change.
“The draft plan heavily weighs the desires of the commercial seafood industry to harvest in sanctuaries,” said Alison Prost, the foundation’s Maryland executive director, in a statement.
“Sanctuaries are our best hope of restoring the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay,” Prost said.
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12 comments:
WRONG! For years, I have heard watermen complain that over aging oysters in permanent sanctuaries only promotes death from old age and therefore susceptibility to disease. Spread of these diseases is a direct result of NOT farming these areas. Rotation of preserves would be a better option, but refreshing the population and keeping it young and strong should be paramount.
Let's use some sense here. I like oysters. Some people feel though that they need to be saved/protected. If I let them have their way, I might never eat another oyster and someone that follows me that has no desire to eat an oyster can have all he (does not) want. Screw them! I don't plan on anyone in my family marrying into an oyster family. If they go away, it will well after I am able to enjoy them and when nobody really enjoys them.
Who owns the bottom of the water? What is the difference between a private bed, public bed and sanctuary?
Virginia's Oyster regulations are much better than Maryland's. Virginia rotates their open oyster grounds so the open areas are closed again before they are depleted. Maryland doesn't close oyster grounds until they have been completely picked clean meaning there are no oysters left in that area to replenish the population.
I will take the word of the watermen over that of some ahole from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
9:04
I hate peta and green peace hippy environmentalists but you can't seriously believe that preventing watermen from taking every last one is wrong. Look at the DNR/NRP reports of late. Low lifes taking oysters like they are stealing scrap metal from your yard.
It's a handful of crackheads that go out onto shallow spots on low tide. They aren't a major problem. They will also go down to the shell pile in Crisfield and dig through looking for any oysters that went through the line unshucked.
Do not listen to the CBF. They are only out to promote their own agenda and elite usage of the Bay.
Oysters are needed as they naturally filter the water. The VA regs seem like the best option.
Oysters are a crop. Harvest them responsibly.
VA doing something right for a change - bite one's tongue!!! Although true with this type of regulation, I'm still very leery with anything that comes out of the Richmond Legislature! Then again, our Annapolis aint helping us much either!
Better news - 1 DAY UNTIL TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CBF has to keep the bay in "crisis" so they can keep getting funded.
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