At the July 28 Potomac River Fisheries Commission meeting, the commission took action on the latest Chesapeake Bay-wide winter dredge survey which indicated a “radical decline in crab numbers.” Following a presentation, discussion among commission members, and comments from the public, the management response was decided:
Female bushel limits were reduced by 4 bushels across all license strata (effective August 7, 2022 through June 30, 2023):
- 300 pots = 8 bushels/day
- 400 pots = 10 bushels/day
- 500 pots = 16 bushels/day
Male Bushel Limits (this is a new order) (effective August 7, 2022 through June 30, 2023):
- 300 pots = 12 bushels
- 400 pots = 16 bushels
- 500 pots = 20 bushels
Commercial Crab Time Limits adjusted to two hours before sunrise during the months of June, July, and August (effective August 7, 2022 and remain in effect until the Commission takes further action)
Read the orders―Commercial Crabbing Orders that are effective August 7, 2022 (PDF)―and Opinion | The devastating Chesapeake blue crab collapse.
Image by DCChefAnna from Pixabay.