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Crab population on the rebound according to 2023 winter dredge survey

The Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) has announced the results of the 2023 Bay-wide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey (PDF): “The Chesapeake Bay blue crab population is showing encouraging signs of a rebound from recent record lows. . .”

According to the release,

Although the spawning stock has returned to healthy levels, fisheries managers remain cautious about the continued trend of low juvenile abundance. All categories of blue crab, by sex and by age, have shown increase since the 2022 survey, including the abundance estimate for all crabs in Chesapeake Bay which increased from 227 to 323 million. Adult crabs drove this increase, with adult males nearly doubling and adult females returning to above average levels. According to current biological reference points, female blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, due to successful management of the bay-wide blue crab fisheries.

The dredge survey results inform actions by government agencies in Maryland and Virginia as well as by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission.

On Wednesday, May 24 (4:00 pm), VMRC’s Crab Management Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss the survey results and any potential management responses for the crabbing season. The public is encouraged to attend and comment. Visit the VMRC calendar for more information about the meeting. UPDATE 5/19/23 9:40a: Those not able to attend in person may watch live. Only those who attend in person, however, are allowed to comment. Miss the meeting altogether? Watch on demand.

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission’s Crab Advisory Committee (comprised of private citizens and industry representatives) will meet at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 31 in Colonial Beach and virtually. Items to be discussed include reports of the 2023 crab harvest to date and the 2022/2023 winter dredge survey results. The public is invited to attend; remote participation deets: On the internet, via phone ((224) 501-3412 and enter Access Code: 163-073-813).

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission will gather Thursday, June 8 (8:30 am) for their quarterly meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to attend in person or virtually. Meeting deets are on Facebook.

Want more info immediately? Read Blue crabs doing better than last year, but still not out of the woods -- Chesapeake population still well below long-term average.



Photo: By Mark Stebnicki on Pexels


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