Va fisheries official: Don't ease crab rules

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – (AP) Virginia fisheries director Jack Travelstead says restrictions imposed to help crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay rebound shouldn't be relaxed.

Travelstead told the Virginia Marine Resources Commission on Tuesday that the restrictions are working. He said the number of female crabs capable of spawning in the bay exceeded 200 million for the first time since 1993.

Restrictions imposed last year included abolishing winter dredging of hibernating crabs and closing the season for female crabs a month early.

Travelstead said the winter dredging season should be closed again this year.

But he says some modifications to the restrictions could be made to help watermen.

The commission plans to vote on 2009 crab regulations next month.