THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 21, 1995 TAG: 9508180595
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
The Chesapeake blue crab is one of our state's most valuable natural resources. A proposal by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to cease crabbing in water depths of 40 feet and greater is a reasonable and necessary measure to protect the crab's viability.
All of us who live near the Bay and its tributaries know that the crab population has declined in recent years. Watermen have their statistics supporting the idea that crabs are not endangered - but we know better.
The real issue is the reprehensible practice of dredging of hibernating female crabs in deep waters during the colder months. There is no defense for this practice other than greed. Crabmeat resulting from this predatory practice is shipped to seafood processing plants elsewhere and does not relate to the summertime enjoyment of steamed crabs in the backyard or in a local crab house - which is not affected by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation proposal.
In no other form of hunting or fishing is such a criminal decimation of the breeding population allowed. Dredging the hibernating females is not different than running a bulldozer through bear dens or killing sitting waterfowl.
Interstate conservation measures have allowed the rockfish population to re-establish itself. No less must be attempted on behalf of the blue crab.
DAVID KIRBY
Mt. Holly, Aug. 11, 1995 by CNB