 And the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Allison Colden said... At that time, we had declared a federal fisheries disaster based on the low number of crabs in the bay and concerns about the long-term sustainability of the population. VMRC has not opened the fishery, but at its September meeting, it plans a vote on crab dredging regulations. Kate Ryan, WTOP News. Sports at 25 and 55. Powered by Maximus. Moving people and technology forward.