The blue crab is a keystone species, fundamental to the ecology of the bay.
Economically, the blue crab harvest has provided the highest value of any Chesapeake commercial fishery, but after a record harvest in 1993 the population declined substantially. The name indicates why managing this particular species is so important to those trying to restore the Chesapeake Bay. The scientific name of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, means "beautiful swimmer - savory." Two of its 10 legs are modified into swimming paddles, and another two are pinchers desired for defense and grabbing food. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Habitat Conservation “We will continue our conversations with industry and partners throughout the season to ensure a successful and sustainable harvest.Blue crabs are an iconic symbol of the Chesapeake Bay “This year’s results give us optimism that our management approach is effective at conserving adequate numbers of crabs even when the number of juveniles is low and winter mortality is high,” Maryland Fishing and Boating Services Director David Blazer said.
The decline in numbers of adult crabs in the bay may lead to a slow start to the early harvest season, but as young crabs enter the fishery and increase their abundance in midsummer, Maryland may see an improved late season. The 2017 bay-wide crab harvest decreased slightly in 2017, from 60 to 54 million pounds, but continued to operate at sustainable levels, especially for female crabs.
Those juveniles grew through 2017 and endured this year’s cold winter to become the 2018 class of spawning adults.” “Last year we had very few young crabs entering the bay. “Although the number of spawning-age females is down from last year, we are pleased to see that their abundance is well above the minimum safe number even with the winter weather and lackluster reproduction last year,” Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee Chair Glenn Davis said. The juvenile crab population increased 34 percent over last year, reaching 167 million. Adult male crab abundance declined 23 percent from 76 to 59 million. This year’s adult female abundance remains among the 10 highest of the nearly three decade old survey. In 2018, the spawning female stock decreased 42 percent from 254 to 147 million, dropping below the target level of 215 million, but remaining well above safe levels. The survey indicates a bay-wide crab population of 371 million, a decrease from last year’s estimate of 455 million, driven largely by a decrease in the number of adult crabs.
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