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Md. Watermen Discuss Alternative Crab Management

GRASONVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Maryland watermen plan to hold their second meeting on crab management alternatives.

Watermen meeting Wednesday in Grasonville are working with the Environmental Defense Fund and the state Department of Natural Resources.

DNR's Steve Early says the meetings mark the first time watermen have sat down to plan the future of the commercial fishery. The deputy director of DNR's Oxford Laboratory says changes are not currently planned and state officials are waiting to see what watermen recommend.

A catch-share system, in which watermen would be given catch limits, is one alternative being discussed. However, some oppose the idea and Early says changes won't be made without industry consensus.

Maryland's season opened Friday. The population rebounded last year following tough new limits that could be eased based on this winter's dredge survey.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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