The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), estimates 317 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2024, compared to 323 million crabs last year. The number of spawning age female crabs decreased from 152 million Read the Rest…
Increases Recorded in Adult Crab Population, Juvenile Recruitment Still Concerning The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), estimates 323 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2023, an increase from last year’s low of 227 Read the Rest…
Recruitment Down but Spawning Stock Remains at Above Average Levels The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the results of the 2021 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which annually estimates the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2021 results showed that Read the Rest…
Annual Winter Dredge Survey Finds Normal Fluctuation The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the results of the 2020 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, which estimates the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay annually. The 2020 results showed that the Chesapeake Bay blue Read the Rest…
Despite a Cold Winter, More Young Crabs are in the Bay The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of the 2018 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, which shows that the population of blue crabs remains healthy and sustainable. While this year’s cold weather and ice cover took a toll on the adult Read the Rest…
Industry, Scientists and Stakeholders Approve Plan Following weeks of scientific review and discussion among key stakeholders, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is making modest but important changes to the commercial harvesting of Chesapeake Bay female hard crabs later this season. Harvesting will close Nov. 20, and bushel levels for the month of November will Read the Rest…
Number of Spawning-Age Female Crabs up 31 Percent to Historic High The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the results of the 2017 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, which shows that the population of crabs remains resilient and steady. While the survey indicates the population has slightly decreased due to lackluster recruitment, it showed a surge in Read the Rest…