Maryland Blue Crab Moratorium?

Blue crab fishing in Maryland has been a struggle the past couple years, and there's a need for a solution to these low crab populations. Goucher College has proposed a  moratorium on crab fishing for a full year, and according to a poll taken by the college 63% of Maylanders are in support, but not by locals.

Watermen, in particular, are vehemently opposed to the possibility of a moratorium. It would mean a full year out of work, devastating their livelihood.  Seafood buyers, who rely on these crustaceans, would also suffer from the moratorium and possibly go out of business. Watermen, and seafood buyers alike say that a moratorium in Maryland would give their competitors in Virginia, North Carolina, and even internationally a chance to take over. 

Most locals, and even officials, agree a moratorium is not the way to get the crabs to repopulate. Even if the moratorium is put in place, it might not be as successful as some people think. Blue crabs are short-lived, with a lifespan of about three years, and are susceptible to cold weather mortality. With exceptionally cold winters, the over-wintering crab mortality can reach up to 50 percent or more, therefore, multiyear stock rebuilding does not occur with blue crabs like it does other species.

In addition, spawning potential of blue crabs decreases with age. Females mate once in their lifetime, storing sperm for subsequent egg production. This means that fewer eggs, from a single female, are fertilized in each brood, and there is significant attrition of viable sperm overtime.

Therefore, there is no scientific evidence that a moratorium would be more effective than the conservative harvest framework by the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee. It is certain, however, that a moratorium would devastate the economy of local communities within the Bay region. 

Read the original article: Poll: Majority of Marylanders Support 1-Year Crab Moratorium