The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted 9-0 Tuesday to close the winter crab dredge fishery for the fourth straight year.

John Bull, a VMRC spokesman, said Wednesday that the commission, meeting Tuesday at its headquarters in Newport News, decided it was necessary to close the fishery in order to continue to rebuild the crab stock.

"While great progress has been made, more work remains to be done to bring the population back to healthy, sustainable levels," a VMRC report said.

Two watermen spoke against closing the winter crab dredge season, Bull said, one from Poquoson and the other an officer of a watermen’s association.

Before its extended closure, the winter crab dredge season began Dec. 1 and ended in March.
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