In a 4-1 vote, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) reversed the decision to lift the ban on blue crab dredging this winter.
The ban was originally lifted back in July in efforts to see if the crab stocks would still hold strong after being reintroduced.
Upon the ban being lifted, members of the foundation expressed concerns about the dredging and what it would do to the crab’s population.
WATCH: Chesapeake Bay blue crab population holds strong; harvesters encouraged
Chesapeake Bay blue crab population holds strong, harvesters encouraged
“The winter dredge fishery primarily harvests female blue crabs, whose numbers declined by nearly 20 million in the recent annual estimate of blue crab numbers in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,” said the foundation. “This reduction in the estimated population was the focus of much of the opposition.”
A study done by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation showed female blue crab numbers dropped nearly 20 million from last year, and currently sit at 133 million.