maryland blue crab season 2019 dredge report

Since data collection began in 1990, the abundance of adult female blue crabs has peaked three times: first in 1991 when abundance reached 227 million, second in 2010 when abundance reached 246 million and third in 2017 when abundance reached a record-high 254 million. The Blue Crab Abundance Outcome is on course and is expected to be met by 2025.Īdult Female Blue Crab Abundance (1990-2023)

In addition, the female exploitation rate has not risen above the established sustainability threshold since 2008, which suggests that management has been effective. The adult female blue crab abundance has not fallen below the minimum sustainable level for female blue crabs since 2014, indicating that the population is sustainable. CBSAC will continue to prioritize understanding how these factors impact the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay. Participants identified data and analytical needs surrounding these factors. In which CBSAC members and other experts discussed factors of interest including habitat availability (e.g., submerged aquatic vegetation, marsh), predation (e.g., red drum, blue catfish), food availability (e.g., clams), environmental conditions (e.g., water temperature, dissolved salt levels, depleted oxygen), oceanic conditions (e.g., wind and tidal currents), and disease. In September 2022, CBSAC held a Blue Crab Science Workshop This number is lower than the target of 196 million, but well above the 72.5 million threshold that is considered to be the minimum sustainable level for female blue crabs in the Bay.Īlthough it is well known that blue crab populations exhibit natural annual variability, with the recent low abundances, the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee (CBSAC) has made it a priority to better understand the factors that drive blue crab population dynamics (i.e., abundance, recruitment and mortality) in the Chesapeake Bay. Climate Monitoring and Assessment Outcomeīetween 20, the abundance of adult (age 1+) female blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay increased 57% from 97 million to 152 million.Environmental Literacy Planning Outcome.

Land Use Methods and Metrics Development Outcome.Toxic Contaminants Policy and Prevention Outcome.Water Quality Standards Attainment and Monitoring Outcome.2025 Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) Outcome.

2017 Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) Outcome.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Outcome.

Maryland blue crab season 2019 dredge report