Pollution blamed for small seafood harvest on Georgia

BRUNSWICK - An environmental organization is asking the state to protect Georgia coastal waters, saying pollution is responsible for the steep decline in the seafood industry. <br> <br> The Center for Sustainable Growth, headquartered on St. Simons Island, has asked the Georgia Board of Natural Resources to monitor coastal waters more closely and enforce existing laws. <br> <br> Georgia&#39;s seafood industry has seen a serious decline in recent years. Last year&#39;s crab harvest, for example, was two-thirds of what it was the year before, and about half of what it was ten years ago. <br> <br> Blue crab, shrimp and finfish also are declining in size, health and numbers. <br> <br> In recent years, coastal water pollution has become more concentrated and deadly because of Georgia&#39;s three-year drought. Of the 100 fish consumption advisories posted in the state, half are for fish in coastal waters, the environmental organization says. <br> <br> They say there is little doubt that pollution and other effects of growth are significant factors. <br> <br> Drought means less fresh water flows into the ocean, which increases salinity levels of estuaries. That, in turn, is believed to drive crabs farther inland, and away from crabbers&#39; traps. <br> <br> Crabbing is a year-round industry in Georgia that peaks in September through early October. There are 159 licensed commercial crabbers statewide, and an average of 80 to 100 active in any given month.