Winter crabbing strained Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population. It may soon resume. Updated September 10, 2024 5:00 AM ET Originally published September 10, 2024 5:00 AM ET.

After a 16-year prohibition, a group of Virginia watermen voted to reinstate winter crab dredging. Many argue the decision puts the blue crab’s fragile population in jeopardy.

That's because the bay is a popular destination for "rockfish," as they're called in Maryland, with anglers traveling from near and far to battle the sleek, hard-fighting fish.

After a 16-year prohibition, a group of Virginia watermen voted to reinstate winter crab dredging. Many argue the decision puts the blue crab’s fragile population in jeopardy.

After a 16-year prohibition, a group of Virginia watermen voted to reinstate winter crab dredging. Many argue the decision puts the blue crab's fragile population in jeopardy.

After a 16-year prohibition, a group of Virginia watermen voted to reinstate winter crab dredging. Many argue the decision puts the blue crab’s fragile population in jeopardy.