GLOUCESTER, Va. Virginia watermen have removed more than 28,000 "ghost" crab pots from the Chesapeake Bay watershed over the past three years as part of a federal and state effort to restore the crab population.
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science announced the results Friday, saying the program provided clear economic and environmental benefits.
Virginia received $15 million from the federal government in 2008 to restore the crab population, which had plummeted to record lows due to overharvesting, loss of habitat and pollution. The state set aside another $3.5 million to remove the "ghost" or abandoned crab pots that continued to catch and kill crabs.
Virginia watermen remove more than 28,000 'ghost' crab pots from Chesapeake Bay in 3 winters :: The Republic
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science announced the results Friday, saying the program provided clear economic and environmental benefits.
Virginia received $15 million from the federal government in 2008 to restore the crab population, which had plummeted to record lows due to overharvesting, loss of habitat and pollution. The state set aside another $3.5 million to remove the "ghost" or abandoned crab pots that continued to catch and kill crabs.
Virginia watermen remove more than 28,000 'ghost' crab pots from Chesapeake Bay in 3 winters :: The Republic