Statement by DNR
Secretary John R. Griffin Regarding Blue Crabs
Thanks for taking time to talk with us about our proposal to rebuild
the blue crab population and fishery in the Chesapeake Bay. We are here
tonight because our blue crab population and fishery have been in
decline for almost 20 years. The population of blue crabs has dropped
almost 70 percent since 1990, harvests are at historic lows and we have
been harvesting too high of a percentage of this dwindling population.
We are here tonight because we care deeply about those that work on
the bay. It is important to note that at the same time that the
population of blue crabs has been declining so has the number of
crabbers and processors. We understand that these regulatory proposals
have significant economic impact for many here – but not acting also has
significant, and likely more lasting and profound impacts on your ways
of life.
We are here tonight because Governor Kaine and Governor O’Malley
agreed to a science-based, conservation goal to reducing the harvest of
female blue crabs by 34 percent in 2008 based on the best scientific
information. The historic ongoing historic discussion with Virginia over
the last several months resulted in Virginia closing their winter dredge
fishery and closing their fishery for female blue crabs on October 27.
These steps and the opportunities they present to quickly rebuild this
fishery in concert with our neighbor are unprecedented.
The time to act is now. We must act to make both the population and
the industry that relies on blue crabs sustainable far into the future.
We are here tonight to discuss our proposed emergency regulations
package that will have Maryland fulfill its commitment to reduce the
harvest of female crabs by 34 percent.
We understand that this will cause economic hardship for the lower
Eastern Shore, particularly Dorchester County. With that understanding
Governor O’Malley has secured $3 million in state capital funds to
provide money to employ watermen in restoring key Chesapeake Bay habitat
including rehabilitating oyster reefs, grants to assist in the start up
of aquaculture businesses, and grants to assist crab processing
companies.
In addition, Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin joined with
Governor O’Malley last Friday to announce that the state is seeking a
disaster declaration from the United States Department of Commerce for
the Chesapeake Bay blue crab. We are seeking $15 million over the next
three years to provide alternative economic opportunities for watermen
and the processing industry.
We will be monitoring the 2008 fishery and the effects of these
regulations through next year’s dredge survey results. It is our
intention to be adaptive and flexible in our management of this fishery.
The regulations proposed here will not be static. Our commitment is to
ensure that each year no more than 46 percent of the crab population is
removed by fishing pressure.
We are committed to working with the industry and with Virginia to
explore effective alternatives for maintaining this target level of
harvest. Once we rebuild this population, removing 46 percent of a
larger blue crab stock will yield significantly better – and more
sustainable – future harvests than removing 55-60 percent of a
diminished population.
We are at a cross roads in the management of the symbol of our bay’s
bounty. Change is never easy but it is our hope that we can continue to
work together towards a more sustainable blue crab population and
fishery in the near future.
We are committed to working with you and your local leaders to help
get through this short term impact so that together we can emerge with
stronger, more predictable and more diverse seafood harvest and
processing opportunities that sustain you and the communities that
depend upon you.
