![]() ![]() This is where the overall health of the Bay comes into play. In a bad year, these larvae do not return to the Chesapeake Bay and are mostly lost at sea.Īssuming they make their way back into the Chesapeake, the next thing blue crabs need are healthy habitats to continue to find food, grow and hide from predators. There, their eggs hatch into minute larvae that drift out into the ocean where they develop and grow until, in a good year, currents, weather and wind carry developing larvae back into the Bay. Females, bearing egg masses, migrate to the mouth of the Bay early in the winter. Weather, as well as ocean and Bay currents, are certainly some of the factors that determine our annual blue crab numbers. What conditions create the difference between a strong crab harvest and the record lows we're seeing this year?įirst, blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay have undergone boom and bust cycles over the years and there are multiple factors contributing the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay each year. At this point in time, regulators do not feel that blue crabs are being over-harvested. The daily limits of male and female crabs, legal size, and harvest season duration are determined by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which conducts the survey in Maryland waters, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science which conducts the winter dredge survey in Virginia waters. This survey includes counts of adult males, females and juvenile crabs. Local officials gain an understanding of the annual crab populations by analyzing data from an annual winter dredge survey during which hibernating crabs are dredged up, counted and returned to the water at various locations throughout the Bay. Since crabs are not only a staple of Chesapeake Bay cuisine, but also a keystone species critical to the health and natural balance of the Bay itself, we've asked National Aquarium General Curator-and all-around Chesapeake expert- Jack Cover to walk us through the natural ebb and flow of local crab populations while sharing some pointers on how to indulge in our favorite local delicacy without putting future crab seasons at risk.įirst of all, how do we know how many crabs there are in the Chesapeake Bay from one year to the next? ![]() According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, this year's local crab population is estimated at an all-time low of 227 million crabs, which represents a drop off of about 20% from last year's count of 282 million-and is just a fraction of the 1993 high count of 852 million, the largest population in the 33 years of recorded data. In fact, some might argue that we look forward to it a little too much, with demand for crabs frequently outpacing supply from local waterways. While any Baltimorean will tell you there is plenty to do, see and enjoy around here, there is no disputing that perhaps the most iconic symbol of our region is the Chesapeake Bay blue crab, and locals and visitors alike look forward to the summer crab harvest as the perfect time to enjoy fresh, local Maryland crabs. ![]()
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