Kaine asked to decree blue crab emergency

RICHMOND — More than 40 legislators signed a letter Wednesday asking Governor Tim Kaine to declare a state of emergency to help watermen hurt by new crab harvest restrictions.

The letter to Kaine came a day after the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved unprecedented curbs on commercial crabbing.

The commission imposed the limits Tuesday after scientists determined that Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab populations are close to all-time lows.

The letter asks that state agencies assist the watermen. It also asks the governor to ask for federal assistance.

All forty members of the state Senate, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and four House members who represent many Virginia watermen signed the letter.