Maryland Public Supports Crabbing Ban

Poll: Majority in Md. back blue crab harvest ban

A Goucher College poll released Wednesday, Oct. 8, found that a majority of Marylanders would support a one-year moratorium on blue crab harvesting.

The poll comes at a time when concern has risen over the decline in blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay.

After the slow start to crab season this past spring, Maryland officials said the female spawning population of crabs was just below the comfort, or threshold, level of 70 million Bay-wide, far away from the target of 215 million, according to the Chesapeake Bay winter dredge survey.

According to the poll, 62 percent of Maryland residents would support a one-year moratorium on blue crab harvesting, and 26 percent would oppose the year-long harvest ban.

The poll also found that 85 percent of Marylanders are either very or somewhat concerned about pollution in the Bay, and 14 percent are either not at all or a little concerned.

“It’s clear that Marylanders care deeply about their Bay, and a majority of residents are even willing to give up a year of crabbing if it could help stop the decline of Maryland’s signature dish,” said Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center at Goucher College.

I don't actually think a total ban on crabbing is necessary to cause the crab populations to rebound. But it might be useful to remind the watermen that they are not entitled to the catch regardless of its status. But I would miss my once or twice yearly soft-crab sammy.