According to Virginia Marine Resource Commission violators of crab regulations could be subject to $2,500 in fines, up to a year in jail, and a possible revocation hearing. It is understood that the blue crab is in trouble, and the regulations are the regulations, yet targeting waterman in this way, when there are far more egregious violators seems cynical and heavy handed.
It is fact that crab’s decline is mainly because of the loss of habitat due to the overall poor water quality of the bay itself. There are many sources of pollution, yet the number one source is actually agricultural runoff. According to figures from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, agriculture contributes 40 percent of the nitrogen and 50 percent of the phosphorus entering the Bay.
On the coastline there are tomato growers who pour fertilizers and pesticides into the soil and use poisons in the fall when the crop is no longer viable. Then there are industrial poultry operations produce up to 150 percent more nutrient pollution than that generated by human waste effluence. The experts said that the stop this the state should issue a pollution tax against towns, counties, and businesses that are engaged in activities that harm the bay.
It is also said that there should be reduction in the harvest and creating a sanctuary are more surface than fundamental. There may be short-term improvements, but it will do little or nothing to alleviate the long-term problems faced by the blue crab.
