Virginia and Maryland will cut their female blue crab harvests in the Chesapeake Bay by 34 percent this year as the states’ signature crustaceans reach perilously low population levels.
Govs. Tim Kaine and Martin O’Malley in a joint news conference announced the cuts Tuesday after releasing the results of a winter dredge survey that showed the area’s adult crab population has dipped to 125 million, far short of the 200 million scientists consider to be healthy.
Last year’s survey found 143 million adult crabs in the Chesapeake.
Maryland and Virginia aim to harvest no more than 46 percent of the crab population each year, but scientists estimated that more than 60 percent of the population was harvested last year.
“Our most valuable commercial fishery is in danger of an economic collapse,” said O’Malley, Maryland’s governor.
The dwindling crab population has been attributed to pollution, environmental damage and rising Chesapeake Bay temperatures as well as overfishing. The states have proposed cutting the number of crab traps watermen can set, banning winter dredging, ending crab season in October instead of November and banning recreational fishermen from catching female crabs. Both Virginia and Maryland will consider which specific regulations to adopt to accomplish a 34 percent reduction in the harvest.
“We know that we cannot rebuild the blue crab population without an economic impact to those who rely on this fishery for their livelihoods,” O’Malley said. “However, Maryland is committed to working with our stakeholders to mitigate this impact.”
Officials estimated the measure could renew the crab population within three to four years.
Female crabs are popular because of their larger size and are frequently used to make crab soup and crab cakes.
“This isn’t something that we’re overjoyed at having to do,” said John Bull, spokesman for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, which will decide which restrictions the state will adopt on April 22.
