The Department of Natural Resources report that the authority has taken the declining population of Blue crab seriously and soon it is going to implement tougher crabbing regulations. Last year proved to be the worst crab catch in nearly 80 years for Maryland watermen.
Frank Dawson, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), adds the department is very much concerned about the health of crab population as well as crab fishery. He admits that the harvesting go crab has been done too high a percentage of its population.
According to the department 21.8 million pounds of crabs have been harvested in 2007, six million pounds less than the previous year. Based on that DNR has taken up a inter survey which could tell the exact numbers of crabs might be in the bay. However, the number of juvenile crabs found last year was pretty low and if it goes lower this year then the department could think of stricter regulations to help reviving the declining crab population in the area.
It is expected that the impact of tougher rules would fall hardest on commercial watermen and packing houses. And if the survey doesn’t find a major rebound in young crabs the harvest of 2008 could be further reduced with new rules limiting the catch to ensure the survival of crabs in the Chesapeake.
