![]() Long-term recovery of the Bay’s blue crab population will only be possible through continued wise management of the fishery, combined with actions to improve water quality and address predation from invasive species in the Bay. "The recent decline in the Bay’s underwater grasses is likely contributing to low blue crab numbers, as well as pollution and predation by invasive blue catfish. Because the blue crab population fluctuates annually due to a variety of factors, we hope the improvements observed this year continue over the long term. “While this year’s numbers show some signs of recovery in the Bay’s blue crab population, there is still plenty of cause for caution. Harvest levels for male crabs exceeded the conservation benchmark for the second consecutive year, raising concerns about whether such levels of exploitation could be sustained," said the survey organization in a media release.Ĭhesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Regional Ecosystem Scientist Chris Moore released the following statement in response: ![]() The adult female crab population has increased from last year and male crab numbers showed only a slight improvement from last year’s all-time low numbers. ![]() The juvenile crab population has improved slightly from 2022 but it remains below average for the fourth consecutive year.
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