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.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/199778