The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has voted to shut down winter dredging for crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.

The commission also approved other measures Tuesday intended to help meet Governor Timothy Kaine's goal of reducing the female crab harvest by 34 percent.

Dredgers drag large, rake-like devices across the bottom in winter to catch hibernating, pregnant female crabs. As both the dredging industry and crab population dwindled in recent years, state regulators said shutting down the practice is a harsh but necessary step.

More than 150 workers and 50 boats were employed by the industry.

The commission also voted to reduce peeler pots and hard pots, close the fall season about a month earlier than usual, and add two cull rings allowing smaller crabs to escape from pots.