Crab Disaster Relief Plan
Times are changing for Virginia's Watermen. .
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Crab Disaster Plan |
| It is no fault of the waterman that in 2008 the crab fishery was declared a disaster. |
| Lost of aquatic grasses, lost of our oyster reefs, predation, and pollution from both point and non-point sources are what have caused the waterman to be the scapegoat. |
| As much as I would like to see Virginia's watermen continue in the traditional fishing methods that they grew up with it is inevitable that the waterman has got to adjust if he plans to survive. |
| Although I do not agree with everything in the plan I do see where it allows new opportunities. I especially see this for the younger waterman who knows what hard work is and is willing to take that dedicated work ethic to the next level. |
| As for us older watermen, we are a dying breed. As we leave so does a cultural resource along with years of applied knowledge and experience. |
| Not only is it important to encourage the younger ones but we still have to work to help bring this BAY back. People need to hear our stories of how clean the water was when we grew up. Politicians and VMRC must be held accountable. |
| We all are seeing the oyster trying to make a come back. There is strike everywhere but on the bottom. We need to get these oyster bars worked. Bring the shells back up to the top and you need to call your delegate, senator, and congressman and tell them. |
| When we grew up you didn't have to go to a man-made reef to catch a fish All you had to do was go to the edge of any oyster bar. |
| The Virginia State Waterman's Association is going to continue its fight to preserve a heritage and our resource but we are also going to move forward. By doing so hopefully we can help watermen move into new fisheries, find better marketing, and continue to run a family businesses that a father can pass to his son. |
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