The 2018 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Fishery: A Year of Sustainable Harvests

A recent report highlights the ongoing efforts to manage blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay, ensuring a sustainable harvest despite challenging environmental conditions. According to Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. O'Reilly, the shift towards more responsible management has allowed for stable harvests even in difficult years.

In 2017, the commercial crab harvest in Virginia reached 23.5 million pounds, close to the 10-year average of 24 million pounds. This marks a significant improvement from 2014, when the annual harvest was at its lowest point in nearly three decades, with only 15.6 million pounds.

The overall Chesapeake Bay-wide commercial harvest in 2017 saw a slight decrease of 9 percent compared to the previous year, with 54 million pounds harvested compared to 60 million pounds in 2016. The Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee is currently reviewing these results and will release its full analysis in the 2018 Blue Crab Advisory Report this summer.

The report's findings will be presented to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) at their meeting on Tuesday, followed by a public hearing on June 19. Additionally, the results will be shared with the VMRC's Crab Management Advisory Committee this Thursday to inform decisions about maintaining the blue crab stock and fisheries for the year.

O'Reilly emphasized that management aims to ensure there are as many female crabs as possible in the bay, but spawning activity is not solely dependent on the number of spawning parents. By taking a more comprehensive approach to managing the blue crab population, the Commission hopes to achieve a sustainable balance between harvest and conservation efforts.

Overall, the 2018 Chesapeake dredge report provides a positive outlook for the future of the blue crab fishery in the Chesapeake Bay, as managers continue to work towards responsible management practices.

2018 chesapeake dredge report