Highest Juvenile Blue Crab Population on Record in Maryland

Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Chesapeake Bay Juvenile Blue Crab Population Highest on Record
Overall population highest since 1993 according to winter dredge survey

Riva, Md. (April 19, 2012) — Governor Martin O'Malley today announced the Chesapeake Bay's juvenile blue crab population is at the highest level on record, and the overall blue crab population is at its highest level since 1993.

Joined by stakeholders and elected officials, Governor O'Malley revealed the results of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) annual winter dredge survey at Mike's Crab House overlooking the Severn river.

"Just a few short years ago, the future did not look bright for our blue crab population," said Governor O'Malley. "Our female crabs were being overfished, and our fishery was at risk of complete collapse. Today's announcement marks four years in a row of progress to restore the blue crab. The kind of progress we're making today really only happens when we work together. None of us can restore the blue crab alone -- we're all in this together, and it will take all of us working together to achieve a better future for our crabs, our industry, recreational crabbers and crab-lovers across our State.

According to the survey, an estimated 764 million crabs spent this winter in the Bay, nearly 66 percent more than last year. Juvenile crabs reached a record high of 587 million, nearly triple last year's 207 million. The previous record of 512 million was set in 1997.