THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602070011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauds the action Jan. 23 by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission as another important step toward conservation of blue crabs. It was a significant milestone in bi-state fisheries management.
Historically, the states have waited for irrefutable proof of a collapsed fishery before taking action and consequently have suffered extreme social and economic repercussions. Rather than see the blue crab go the way of the oyster, shad and sturgeon, Maryland and Virginia have now taken action to avoid a crisis and to stabilize the last great Chesapeake Bay fishery.
Maryland should also be commended for taking courageous measures last fall to protect the Bay's migrating female crabs.
The states' fishery managers should now be encouraged to enact consistent Baywide management to conserve blue crab stocks in the longer term.
WILLIAM C. BAKER
President
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Annapolis, Md., Jan. 21, 1996 by CNB