RIVA, Md. -- Governor Martin O'Malley today announced that the Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population is at its second highest level since 1997 and well above the target for the third year in a row, setting the stage for a Bay-wide recovery. The results of the 2011 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey indicate that management measures put into place in 2008 are continuing to pay dividends for the crab population, the industry, recreational crabbers and those who just plain enjoy the Bay's favorite crustacean. Joined by stakeholders, elected officials and staff, Governor O'Malley made the announcement from the deck of Mike's Crab House near Annapolis, overlooking the South River.
"Today we continue to realize the benefits of the very tough decisions we made three years ago - decisions that are bringing us closer to our ultimate goal: a self-sustaining fishery that will support our industry and recreational fisheries over the long term," said Governor O'Malley. "At 460 million crabs, our population is at its second highest level since 1997, and nearly double the record low of 249 million in 2007. And for watermen across the Bay, the unusually high abundance we saw last year translated into a harvest of more than 89 million pounds - the highest since 1993." read all here
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