Saving the Bay’s Blue Crab Population

July 2006 -- Summertime is blue crab season here in the Chesapeake region, and many of us take for granted the presence of these famous crustaceans. However, the Bay's blue crab population has been at a historic low for the past decade.

Next month, the Bi-State Blue Crab Technical Advisory Committee (BBTAC) will release “Blue Crab 2005: Status of the Chesapeake Population and its Fisheries,” a report that will detail the current health of this valuable, symbolic and unpredictable creature.

The good news is that last year's blue crab levels were slightly above average compared to the past ten years. Also, for the first time, fishing pressure on the blue crab met the BBTAC's target of conserving 20% of the spawning stock.

Despite this encouraging news, blue crab levels continue to fluctuate from year to year. Preliminary data from this past winter's dredge survey shows another population decrease. This means that last year's gains may not be the beginning of an upward trend in the number of blue crabs in the Bay.

There are still many uncertainties in the effort to rebuild one of the most valuable stocks in the Bay. The 2005 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Advisory, published by the Baywide Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee, concluded that “relatively low stock levels continue to create a risk of recruitment failure.” In addition to fishing pressure, loss of important blue crab habitats, such as oyster reefs and underwater grass beds, can also contribute to population losses.

How can you help protect the blue crab? The Chesapeake Club, the Bay Program's initiative to teach people simple, environmentally friendly steps to protect the Bay and its critters, suggests the following tips:

• Reduce the amount of trash that can find its way to the Bay by opting out of excessive junk mail.
• Fix leaky faucets and install low-flow showerheads, which will help conserve clean water.
• Use safer, less toxic cleaning products in your home and car.
• Continue advocating (and demonstrating) the 3 R's—reduce, reuse, recycle—to friends, family and neighbors.