Maryland crab numbers dip in latest Chesapeake Bay survey. A dive into the numbers.
The latest Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey has revealed an overall dip in crabs in Maryland waterways amid continuing decreasing numbers.
According to the study, an estimated 317 million blue crabs were found in the Chesapeake Bay in 2024, compared to 323 million crabs last year. Among other harbingers that spawning grounds have been negatively impacted are findings like the number of spawning age female crabs decreased from 152 million crabs in 2023 to 133 million crabs in 2024, but that is still well above the management threshold of 72.5 million crabs.
Adult male crabs also experienced a decrease, from 55 million crabs in 2023 to 46 million crabs in 2024. The number of juvenile crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has been below average for the past four years, but rose to 138 million juvenile crabs in 2024.
“An increase in juvenile recruitment is certainly welcome news, and the stock and population as a whole remains healthy. However, the continued relatively low recruitment numbers warrant a closer look at our approach moving forward," said Maryland DNR Fishing and Boating Services Director Lynn Fegley.
The study was a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
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A downward trend for crab in the Chesapeake Bay
The state's Department of Natural Resources contends blue crab reproduction is naturally variable and influenced by many factors, including oceanic conditions, available nursery habitat, predation and other environmental impacts.
The consecutive years of low juvenile abundance prompted the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee to plan a new stock assessment for blue crabs, which will begin this summer. The new assessment will allow fishery managers to take an in-depth look at their understanding of the ecology of this species, how it is modeled and whether the reference points used for management should be revised.
Mandy Bromilow, DNR’s blue crab program manager, noted there has not been an overall reexamination of the data that contributed to the 2011 stock assessment on blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.
“We haven’t had a real evaluation of the assumptions we have in the model, and there are new analytical methods that could be applied to the data,” Bromilow said.
The stock assessment is set to be completed and published in March 2026.
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Following recommendations by the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee, the department will begin discussions with the state’s Blue Crab Industry Advisory Committee to provide guidance concerning management options for 2024 that promotes the health and sustainability of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population and its fisheries.
The Winter Dredge Survey has been conducted since 1990, and the results are reviewed annually in an effort to have consistent management efforts across Delmarva Peninsula jurisdictions. Throughout the survey, biologists use dredge equipment to capture, measure, record and release blue crabs at 1,500 sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay from December through March.
A call for Chesapeake Bay protection
Environmental groups such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation still see a silver lining, despite the data, calling the report a timely reminder the Chesapeake Bay still needs continued protections.
According to the foundation, the winter dredge survey is among the most comprehensive studies as it covers more than1,500 locations and provides a vital examination of crab numbers.
“The results of this year’s survey are less than hoped for given the importance of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay region," said Chris Moore, the foundation's Virginia Executive Director. "The continued low numbers of adult females and males underscores the need to protect these segments of the population. Given the lackluster results of this year’s survey, states should proceed with caution when considering regulatory changes for the upcoming seasons."
Moore noted while juvenile population estimates can vary greatly from year to year, it is "encouraging to see a slight increase in this segment of the population." He still contended, given the population estimates from this year’s survey, there remains a significant need to continue to protect adult females and critical habitats, like underwater grasses, in order help ensure better numbers in the future.
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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Crab survey shows dip in Chesapeake Bay numbers. A dive into the data.
