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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Claws Célèbre: Maryland Plans Pinch on Crab Harvest

Drastic measures proposed to halt decline of Chesapeake crabs

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(Newser) – Faced with the lowest catch in decades, Maryland is taking steps to help stem the blue crab's decline. Tough measures are being proposed that would cut the harvest of female crabs by up to 40%, the Baltimore Sun reports. The state says urgent action is needed to stop the Chesapeake fishery collapsing—but crabbers aren't happy.

"You've got to be kidding me," grumbled one waterman who said he wouldn't make enough money to cover his costs under drastic new catch restrictions. Conservationists say that to halt the crabs' decline, Maryland and Virginia need to work on long-term strategies rather than quick fixes. The crabbers themselves blame pollution rather than overfishing for the plunge in crab numbers.

Chesapeake watermen blame pollution rather than overfishing for falling crab numbers and say drastic new harvest restrictions will put them out of business.
Chesapeake watermen blame pollution rather than overfishing for falling crab numbers and say drastic new harvest restrictions will put them out of business.   (AP Photo/Jamie C. Horton)
Maryland is planning tough new restrictions on crab catches to try and halt a rapid decline in Chesapeake Bay crab numbers.
Maryland is planning tough new restrictions on crab catches to try and halt a rapid decline in Chesapeake Bay crab numbers.   (Getty Images)
Over 1,000 Marylanders make their living catching crabs and thousands more work in related industries like crab restaurants.
Over 1,000 Marylanders make their living catching crabs and thousands more work in related industries like crab restaurants.   (KRT Photos)
A female blue crab is fitted with a microchip that will help scientists determine how pregnant females migrate from the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the bay.
A female blue crab is fitted with a microchip that will help scientists determine how pregnant females migrate from the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of the bay.   (KRT Photos)
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