The Crab Count Is In

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population at Second-highest Level Since 1997

The Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population is at its second-highest level since 1997, according to results from the 2011 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey. At 460 million crabs, the blue crab population is nearly double the record low of 249 million in 2007.

Additionally, the survey shows that there are 254 million adult crabs in the Bay, a figure that is above the 200 million population target for the third year in a row. This marks the first time since the early 1990s that there have been three consecutive years where the adult population was above the target.

These figures indicate that emergency crab management measures put into place in 2008 are helping the Bay’s blue crabs recover, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).

What's magical about second highest since 1997?  It's lower than last year.  And it just wouldn't do to say that crab abundance is down from 658 million to 461 million...  For more detailed data go here.

It's a good step, but it's not time to relax and increase the effort again.