Chesapeake blue crab population grows 35 percent
A winter dredging survey found the strongest growth in the populations of adult male crabs, which more than doubled. The number of spawning females, a key barometer for future population growth, nearly doubled but remained slightly below a target population count of 215 million.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bs-md-blue-crab-gains-20160412-story.htmlOfficial VMRC press release ->
http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/news_releases/2016/2016_Blue_Crab_Winter_Dredge_Survey_Results_News_Release_04-12-16.pdf "The results of the 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey show the total population of blue crabs
in the Chesapeake Bay climbed 35 percent to a total of 553 million. This is the fourth highest
level in two decades, since 1996, and builds on last year’s 38 percent boost in abundance.
Stock improvements were found in both female and male crabs, as well as juveniles and adults.
The spawning female stock almost doubled, from 101 million to 194 million, while the adult
male stock more than doubled, from 44 million to 91 million. These are the second
highest levels
recorded since 1995 and bode well for a good crab harvest this year. Still, this level of spawning
age female crabs remains below the scientifically recommended target of 215 million but well
above the minimum safe threshold of 70 million crabs.
