Thoughts on the Bay’s Blue Crab Problem
An editorial from the Washington Post on Sunday, “It’s now or never for blue crabs,” called for stronger regulations on crabbing in the Chesapeake. Former Post columnist Angus Phillips suggests a complete moratorium on crabbing for a few years in the Bay. Phillips targets Maryland lawmakers, hoping that the current Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley, will follow in the steps of his predecessors, and impose moratoriums on crabbing, as was done for rockfish in the 1980s by former Governor Harry Hughes.
Quite a strong point of view, but Phillips may have a point. However, a moratorium would be an enormous financial hardship to the commercial fishermen. What are your thoughts on a crabbing moratorium?
Chesapeake Bay environment and water quality blog 