Every spring we receive the results of an extensive survey that measures the state of the Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population. Even after an unusually cold winter, the population of 460 million crabs is at its second highest level since 1997. More importantly, this was the third year in a row that the number of adult crabs (at 254 million) has been higher than the target of 200 million adults that are needed to assure a strong reproducing population.

 

Today we continue to realize the benefits of the very tough decisions we made three years ago  decisions that are bringing us closer to our ultimate goal: a self-sustaining fishery that will support our industry and recreational fisheries over the long term. At 460 million crabs, our population is nearly double the low of 249 million in 2007. And for watermen across the Bay, the unusually high abundance we saw last year translated into a harvest of more than 89 million pounds  the highest since 1993.

 

Science guided our plan to restore crabs, and is also guiding our efforts to restore oysters. Historically, a large oyster population filtered pollutants from the Bay and supported a thriving industry. At the end of 2009, with the oyster population at 1 percent of historic levels, we made tough decisions and adopted a new Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan to restore native oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. I said then that by taking bold, decisive action to restore our native oyster we can also restore those ecological services and create a new oyster industry. I still believe our oyster recovery strategy will produce that result.

 

Under our plan, we are pursuing a three-pronged approach to restore oysters for ecological purposes, jump-start a new aquaculture initiative and refocus our public fishery:  In 2010 we increased the number, size, and quality of our oyster sanctuaries, to allow oysters to live longer, develop natural resistance to disease, and to spawn without harvest pressure.  We continue to open up additional areas available to lease for oyster aquaculture while streamlining the permitting process. We also continue to maintain substantial areas open to the public fishery, to ensure a more targeted, sustainable, and scientifically-managed public oyster fishery, while strengthening monitoring and enforcement against poaching.

 

Legislation passed during the recent General Assembly session improves oyster aquaculture opportunities and enforcement against poaching. We'll keep you informed as our oyster restoration activities progress.

 

Maryland has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, both on the Bay and in our parks, forests and wildlife areas. I hope you and your family will make time to enjoy them during this season of warmer, pleasant weather.