THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
For three straight days I observed 48 commercial fishing boats going back and forth between the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier and the Atlantic Ocean. I am told by the maritime agencies that they are dredging the bottom for crabs. The state of Maryland does not permit dredging for crabs nor does it allow the keeping of female crabs at any time.
By contrast, our state of Virginia issues permits for approximately 100 boats, including some registered in Maryland, for dredging in our waters from December to March. Also, no ban exists for female crabs.
We are constantly reading about the paucity of crabs in Virginia. It would seem that dredging and the keeping of female crabs would be a contributing factor to the creation of a shortage.
Would someone in authority please explain why Virginia does not follow the lead of Maryland? Could there be politics involved?
It appears that unless some changes are made soon, the crabs will go the way of our oysters. Such a shame!
MAURY BAILEY
Norfolk, Dec. 26, 1994 by CNB