June 25, 2014 — It could be fallout from the cold winter. It might be voracious appetites of big fish or a lack of critical habitat, such as underwater grasses.
Whatever the reason, the number of female blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has fallen below the level considered safe, and state officials on Tuesday made a move they hope will reverse the trend.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted to reduce the pounds of female crabs watermen can harvest in the Chesapeake by 10 percent starting on July 5. The rule will last for one year.
Female crab numbers have fallen to an estimated 69 million, just below the minimum of 70 million, according to the most recent winter survey of crabs. Overall, crabs are at their lowest levels since 2008.
The last time the number of females fell this low was in 2002, when 55 million were present. Estimates are based on samples from 1,500 sites.
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