Annapolis, Md. (April 19, 2013) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the 2013 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey numbers, showing mixed results. The number of spawning-age females increased substantially this year – by 52 percent − indicating that the current management framework to protect adult female crabs is working. However, poor reproduction in 2013 and what appears to be high mortality within the record 2012 year-class resulted in an overall decline in the Bay-wide population.
At 147 million, the female population is more than double the scientifically-established, healthy-abundance threshold of 70 million. Total abundance of blue crabs dropped from 765 million to 300 million, and the number of juvenile crabs dipped from 581 million to 111 million.
“The results of this year’s winter dredge survey are by no means ideal, however, our strong management framework includes a buffer that allows the population to fluctuate within a safe threshold,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “In fact, the conservation measures we first put into place in 2008 were designed to allow for the naturally occurring fluctuations crabs are known for and ensure a sustainable seafood industry.”
While the percentage of mature females harvested in 2012 is projected to be under the safe target level of 25.5 percent for the fifth consecutive year, the dockside value of Maryland’s overall commercial blue crab fishery has increased significantly under the State’s conservation measures. The statewide dockside value ─ which averaged 35.6 million from 2005 to 2007 − has increased 49 percent, since management changes were adopted, to an average of $52.9 million annually from 2008 to 2012.
Each year Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) work together to determine if current management measures provide adequate conservation for the number of crabs estimated to be in the Bay. This ensures that harvest stays in balance with the population and maintains the strength of the joint management system. In response to these results, the jurisdictions are pursuing strategies to reduce the harvest of female crabs by approximately 10 percent.
“The Bay’s blue crab population varies naturally,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “Weather conditions, an increase in predators, or other natural occurrences can affect the crab stock. Our management system is also dynamic, and we will be working with the industry over the coming weeks to determine the best strategy to implement within our existing female crab management framework to achieve this reduction in 2013.”
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) expects to take comparable conservation measures. A daily bushel limit for 2013 has already been put into place, the first time in Virginia’s history that such year-long limits will restrict a harvester’s catch. The limits range from 27 to 55 bushels a day, depending on the number of crab pots a license holder is permitted. The survey results appear to require the continued closure of Virginia’s blue crab winter dredge fishery, which has been closed since 2008.The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) also plans to take comparable conservation measures by adjusting their fall female crab closure periods.
Friday, April 19, 2013 - 12:16
Annapolis, Md. (April 19, 2013) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the 2013 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey numbers, showing mixed results. The number of spawning-age females increased substantially this year – by 52 percent − indicating that the current management framework to protect adult female crabs is working. However, poor reproduction in 2013 and what appears to be high mortality within the record 2012 year-class resulted in an overall decline in the Bay-wide population.
At 147 million, the female population is more than double the scientifically-established, healthy-abundance threshold of 70 million. Total abundance of blue crabs dropped from 765 million to 300 million, and the number of juvenile crabs dipped from 581 million to 111 million.
“The results of this year’s winter dredge survey are by no means ideal, however, our strong management framework includes a buffer that allows the population to fluctuate within a safe threshold,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “In fact, the conservation measures we first put into place in 2008 were designed to allow for the naturally occurring fluctuations crabs are known for and ensure a sustainable seafood industry.”
While the percentage of mature females harvested in 2012 is projected to be under the safe target level of 25.5 percent for the fifth consecutive year, the dockside value of Maryland’s overall commercial blue crab fishery has increased significantly under the State’s conservation measures. The statewide dockside value ─ which averaged 35.6 million from 2005 to 2007 − has increased 49 percent, since management changes were adopted, to an average of $52.9 million annually from 2008 to 2012.
Each year Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) work together to determine if current management measures provide adequate conservation for the number of crabs estimated to be in the Bay. This ensures that harvest stays in balance with the population and maintains the strength of the joint management system. In response to these results, the jurisdictions are pursuing strategies to reduce the harvest of female crabs by approximately 10 percent.
“The Bay’s blue crab population varies naturally,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “Weather conditions, an increase in predators, or other natural occurrences can affect the crab stock. Our management system is also dynamic, and we will be working with the industry over the coming weeks to determine the best strategy to implement within our existing female crab management framework to achieve this reduction in 2013.”
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) expects to take comparable conservation measures. A daily bushel limit for 2013 has already been put into place, the first time in Virginia’s history that such year-long limits will restrict a harvester’s catch. The limits range from 27 to 55 bushels a day, depending on the number of crab pots a license holder is permitted. The survey results appear to require the continued closure of Virginia’s blue crab winter dredge fishery, which has been closed since 2008.The Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) also plans to take comparable conservation measures by adjusting their fall female crab closure periods.