Overall abundance of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs dropped from 765 million to 300 million crabs, according to the 2013 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey. Juvenile crabs declined from 581 million to 111 million. The number of spawning-age females increased from … Continued
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has agreed to close the winter crab dredge fishery for the fifth consecutive year, extend the fall crab pot season through Dec. 15 for both male and female crabs, and instituted daily bushel limits for … Continued
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding recreational crab pot owners to install Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRD) in their crab pots. Crab pots set by waterfront landowners can accidently trap and drown diamondback terrapins unless equipped with a … Continued
An important new scientific assessment of the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab stock has been released by the federal government, setting higher abundance thresholds and crab population targets that will dictate how the agency manages the fisheries in the years to … Continued
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries service will increase the commercial crab daily catch limits for female crabs this fall. DNR fisheries managers made the decision after they determined that the increase will have no negative impact on … Continued