Va. to revisit blue crab harvest rules
Virginia regulators are scheduled to review harvest regulations for blue crab following a survey that found the Chesapeake Bay delicacy is rebounding after years of decline.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission meets Tuesday in Newport News to discuss the survey and review regulations.
The annual winter dredge survey showed the crab population rose by 60 percent, the second straight year the blue crab population has increased. The 2010 survey showed the crab population at 658 million — the highest since 1997.
Virginia and Maryland have taken steps to reduce the crab harvest. They include shortening the season and ending a winter dredge season, which scoops up hibernating pregnant females.
-- Associated Press
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By
Washington Post editors
| April 27, 2010; 11:05 AM ET
Categories:
Virginia
| Tags:
Blue crab, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, Newport News Virginia, Population, United States, Virginia, Virginia Marine Resources Commission
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Posted by: rockettonu | April 27, 2010 12:04 PM | Report abuse
Way to act too quickly VA. You could at least see if it's a trend rather then an anomaly.
Posted by: anarcho-liberal-tarian | April 27, 2010 12:46 PM | Report abuse
"Way to act too quickly VA."
Agreed, 2 yrs of increases aren't enough to act upon. No sense in opening it up again and going back to shortages.
Posted by: BEEPEE | April 27, 2010 1:15 PM | Report abuse
Too soon. Two years is not a rebound. Give the population a chance to show if this will be an on-going resurgence, or if they're having a couple good years. give it at least five years, perhaps more.
Posted by: jckdoors | April 27, 2010 3:01 PM | Report abuse
They did the right thing yesterday:
April 27, 2010: The Virginia Marine Resources has signaled its willingness to continue a third year of a blue crab stock rebuilding program without relaxing current regulations. A new scientific study shows crab abundance baywide has doubled in the past two years, with the largest new generation of baby crabs found in many years
Posted by: Louisville1 | April 28, 2010 2:23 PM | Report abuse
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Blue crabs = best seafood ever!