The Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population increased, according to the 2019 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey.
The winter dredge survey, which is conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is the only bay-wide fishery independent effort to estimate the number of blue crabs living in the Chesapeake Bay.
To collect data, a six-foot-wide Virginia crab dredge, fitted with a half inch nylon mesh liner, is towed along the bottom of the bay for one minute at a speed of three knots. All crabs collected at each site are measured and weighed. Crabs are measured from point to point across the top shell, or carapace. The sex of each crab is determined and the maturity of females is noted.
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According to the survey, in 2019 both the juvenile and total crab abundance increased and were above the time series average.
Overall, the bay-wide crab population rose by 60% from last year to reach an estimated total of 594 million. An annual winter survey released by the states of Maryland and Virginia shows almost twice as many juveniles as last year. Spawning-age females have increased, too.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Regional Ecosystem Scientist Chris Moore issued the following statement after the survey's findings:
While there are many variables that affect blue crabs, these strong numbers are not surprising after a mild winter and the good harvests reported by watermen last fall and this spring. Good fisheries management and healthy habitat are the two big keys to a strong blue crab population.
This is another year of positive news for crabs in the Bay thanks to wise management of the commercial and recreational fisheries for blue crabs. Increasing important blue crab habitat such as underwater grasses and oyster reefs also helps to boost the crab population. We hope the Bay states will continue their wise management policies and water quality investments in order to maintain these promising numbers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.