Md. fishery report: Habitat key to managing stock

ANNAPOLIS, MD – (AP) A fisheries management report ordered by Maryland lawmakers says preserving habitat is the key to managing the state's crabs, oysters and other seafood species.

The report released this month was prepared by a task force created during the 2007 session by state legislators who asked for recommendations for the upcoming session.

There aren't specific recommendations in the report on how to deal with declining crab and oyster populations, but it does recommend how to improve fisheries management. The task force calls for a dedicated habitat specialist and the identification of areas that must be given extra protection.

The report also calls for a minimum of 400 Natural Resources Police officers and $2 million in increases in boat registration fees in 2009 and 2011 for equipment replacement for those officers.