October 11, 2008
Disaster status urged for crabs
Cardin, Mikulski, 2 Va. senators call for federal aid
Maryland and Virginia's U.S. senators say there's no time to waste in declaring the decline of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs a federal disaster.
In a letter to federal authorities, the senators argue for a declaration that would provide about $20 million in federal aid to watermen and seafood processors hurt by the crab's decline.
The letter was sent yesterday to Department of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez. Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland and John W. Warner and Jim Webb of Virginia point out that blue crab stocks in the estuary are down about 70 percent from 1990.
Both states' governors have asked for the declaration, saying that the industry is in danger of collapse because the states are cutting this year's female crab harvest by more than a third by limiting bushels and ending the season early. Virginia has also banned winter crab dredging, something already off-limits in Maryland waters.
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"It's really hitting these watermen right in their pocketbooks," said Kimberly Hunter, a spokeswoman for Webb, a Democrat.
The senators say the $20 million has been set aside, but it can't be spent until the declaration is made. Maryland and Virginia fisheries officials have submitted details about the decline of the blue crab population to back up the request.
"We've managed to secure the funding to help these communities in their time of need, but we are now waiting on this administration to act and make this declaration," Hunter said.
The money would be spent on subsidies for watermen and processors, along with restoration efforts on the Chesapeake. It could also be used for research into the blue crab population or restocking efforts.
Similar disaster declarations have been made twice in the last three years for the Chinook salmon fishery in the Pacific Northwest, where a salmon collapse prompted a total harvesting ban earlier this year.
Chesapeake senators argue that the blue crab's woes merit similar assistance. Last year, Virginia notched a record-low harvest of blue crabs, and Maryland's was the lowest since 1945. Scientists say watermen are catching too many females and have set indefinite limits to reduce the female harvest by 34 percent.
"Blue crabs are our most important commercial fishery by far for Maryland, so it has a major impact on our economy," said Sue Walitsky, a spokeswoman for Cardin.
The Commerce Department has not signaled when it may decide on the disaster declaration.
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