In response to the latest winter dredge survey's (WDS) report that overall crab populations had decreased by nearly one third over last year's numbers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has lowered the catch limits for female crabs on the Chesapeake Bay. Most crucial was the WDS's findings that juvenile crab numbers had plummeted as much as 80%. Female crab catch limits will be reduced by 20-40%, depending on the time of year and the number of pots used to catch them. Watermen in the creeks and upper Bay catch fewer females, whereas crabbers in the Southern Bay find them in the summer and fall months.
The Baltimore Sun covers this in detail, but it's clear that this will be an ongoing issue.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 10:39
In response to the latest winter dredge survey's (WDS) report that overall crab populations had decreased by nearly one third over last year's numbers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has lowered the catch limits for female crabs on the Chesapeake Bay. Most crucial was the WDS's findings that juvenile crab numbers had plummeted as much as 80%. Female crab catch limits will be reduced by 20-40%, depending on the time of year and the number of pots used to catch them. Watermen in the creeks and upper Bay catch fewer females, whereas crabbers in the Southern Bay find them in the summer and fall months.
The Baltimore Sun covers this in detail, but it's clear that this will be an ongoing issue.