Virginia’s Blue Crab Commercial Harvest Period Extended
October 12, 2023 | 1 min to read
In Virginia, the commercial harvest of blue crabs has been extended due to an increasing crab population. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved this extension, moving the harvest deadline for hard crab pots to December 16 from November 30, while implementing lower bushel limits starting November 1. These changes aim to promote efficient utilization of blue crabs and ensure economic stability for the fishing industry, as stated by the Commission.
RICHMOND — The commercial harvest of blue crabs has been extended in Virginia as the crab population trends upward.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted last week to approve the extension recommended by the Crab Management Advisory Committee. The harvest of crabs by hard crab pot is now Dec. 16, pushed back from Nov. 30. Lower bushel limits will begin Nov. 1 instead of Oct. 1.
The purpose of these changes is to promote efficient utilization of blue crabs and economic stability for the fishing industry, according to the Marine Resources Commission.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Virginia Pilot