THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240365
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT HARPER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Virginia ended an emotional yearlong debate on the plight of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab Tuesday by approving a compromise package of new protections for the state's most treasured seafood species.
After a four-hour public hearing that was moved to a high school auditorium to accommodate an overflow crowd, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted 7-1 for a plan that seeks to conserve declining crab stocks without harming the state's $88 million crabbing industry.
Afterward, some questioned whether the commission conceded too much to opponents of stricter measures. More than 150 merchants and watermen dominated the hearing, complaining of over-regulation and conflicting scientific surveys that left no agreement on whether crabs are even in trouble in the Bay.
``They backed way off,'' said John B. Graham, who runs a crab processing plant in Hampton and was nervous that tougher rules might be adopted that would threaten his business. ``I can definitely live with this, though, no doubt.''
Virginia experienced its worst crab harvest in 36 years in 1995, according to catch estimates. And scientists and other experts have noticed other indicators of a population slide, fueling media reports and stirring popular sentiment for more government controls.
Much of that mood changed last week, however, when the federal government released a major study that found recent declines are not serious and reflect natural fluctuations.
The plan approved Tuesday consists of four measures that will take effect in the spring when the 1996 crabbing season opens, and a fifth that promises a more restrictive licensing system next year for commercial crabbers.
The commission stopped short of a freeze on new licenses this year, as was endorsed by state experts. Instead, a limited number of commercial crabbing licenses will be sold.
But watermen still must meet rigid criteria to qualify.
Also, starting April 1, each crabber can set a maximum of 500 traps in the Bay and 300 in its tributaries. There currently are no such limits in Virginia.
But less than 1 percent of the state's 3,000 watermen use more than 500 traps, leading some to speculate that the rule will make little difference.
Enforcement will be difficult, too, because the commission dropped a mandatory tagging system that officials feared would be costly and full of logistical problems.
A 3 1/2-inch size limit was imposed on softshell crabs for the first time, and officials pledged to study a ``limited entry'' licensing system for 1997 to control the number of crabbers on the water.
Most notably, the commission banned the taking and possession of pregnant female crabs with dark-colored eggs visible on their bellies. The practice of harvesting so-called sponge crabs has drawn criticism for decades, especially from neighboring Maryland, which shares the world-renowned Bay crab fishery with Virginia.
However, as with most of the new rules, there is an exception. Watermen will not be penalized if fewer than 10 pregnant crabs are found in each bushel they gather. And packers like Graham can likely import pregnant females from states such as North Carolina, which have no limits on sponge crabs.
``We're not extremists here,'' commission member William Pruitt said before the vote.
``We're trying to work within the framework of a very complex industry.''
Tommy Leggett, a waterman and commission member, cast the only ``no'' vote Tuesday, arguing that limits approved in late 1994 seem to be working already.
New restrictions, he said, are not necessary yet.
At least one commission member said it was better for the board to take some action Tuesday, because other, more Draconian measures have been proposed in the General Assembly this year.
One bill, if passed, would ban the taking of sponge crabs without exception.
Maryland officials were on hand Tuesday to say they, too, were planning regulations for the coming season.
Pete Jensen, fisheries director for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said a package is expected to be released by February.
``I think most people realize that something's not quite right out there and we need to take some conservative measures,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CHRISTOPHER REDDICK/The Virginian-Pilot
Virginia Marine Resources commissioner William Pruitt and an
overflow audience listened to Tuesday's testimony in Newport News.
Crabbing industry members came out of the proceeding feeling better
than they had anticipated.
by CNB