Chesapeake Bay crabs status uncertain

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | 10/12/2004 | Various

[cogitator]

Reports mixed on blue crabs
Biologist 'seriously concerned' with the bay's spawning stock; other studies are more hopeful

Chesapeake Bay blue crabs may be in worse trouble than previously imagined, according to Virginia Institute of Marine Science research into the survival rate of female crabs. But the data collected on crabs in the estuary do not all agree.

The institute's study of mature female crabs between November 2001 and October 2002 estimated that only two out of 100 survived the study year.

"This is one of the first times I'm seriously, seriously concerned with the spawning stock," said Rom Lipcius, a VIMS biologist and a principal investigator in the survey.

........

Other surveys in the bay show a more hopeful sign: The overall abundance of blue crabs improved in 2003, according to a Virginia, Maryland and federal panel of scientists that includes representatives from VIMS.

.......

Derek Orner of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's bay office in Annapolis, Md., said the crab study fell to budget constraints and new research priorities in his agency's competitive grants program.

NOAA gave VIMS $396,850 over three years to underwrite the mortality study. The agency is now directing money to other issues. New species have emerged as funding priorities. Chief among them is the menhaden, a valuable industrial fish that is converted to fish meal and oil, and the ariakensis oyster.

Menhaden have gained a new profile amid concerns that they may no longer be abundant enough to serve as the main forage for striped bass and other predator fish in the bay. Interest in the ariakensis oyster, which is native to Asia, has grown as Virginia and Maryland consider it as a possible replacement for the bay's disease-ravaged native oyster.

(go to linked article to read the rest)

-----------------

[Gabz]

I'm convinced that the Rockfish population has the most influence on the crab population in the Bay.

I agree with you. There seems to be direct correlation between further restrictions on Rock catches to declines in crab harvests.

[ForOurFuture]

Could you give me a quick explanation about "sponge-females" I am not at all familiar with the phrase?

Sponge crabs are females with an external protusion of many thousands of eggs. In Maryland possession of them is illegal, unless you have a bill of sale proving they were imported from outside the state. In Virginia possession of mature sponge crabs is illegal, mature meaning the eggs are well developed and soon to hatch. Possession of immature sponge crabs is legal, however, immature meaning the eggs are new and not soon to hatch.

The maturity of the eggs is measured by their color. The eggs gradually turn from bright orange to dark brown. Virginia uses a color scale, numbered 1 to 15, with 1 being bright orange and immature and 15 being dark brown and very mature, to differentiate what is legal and illegal. Crabs that fall from 1-6 are legal to possess.

[Gabz]

Thank you very much. You explanation is exremely clear and understandable.

My relationship with shell and fin fish laws and regs are far more political than biological. but the only way to understand and learn is to ask questions.

Again, my thanks for your explanation.

[Tax-chick]

I wish I could ... I think I'll give up drinking (again) and start a "Seafood Savings Fund." Then when I get enough money, I'll buy some real frest seafood!

[Gabz]

LOL!!!!

I know I'm one of the lucky ones being in such close proximity to the fishing villages on both the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. So I will be a good girl and not gloat.

I have the choice of fishing, crabbing and clamming myself, or supporting the local economy by buying from local waterman. My 2 favorite fish markets are owned by fishermen. The one gal even calls me when certain things come in!!! (welll maybe I'm gloating just a little)

[Hat-Trick]

The C-Street Saloon and the Crab Claw in St. Michaels are two of my favorite places on earth. Definitely bring your appetite to the Crab Claw.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Less than Bohdacious news... :(

[Gabz]

I haven't been to St. Michael's in years and years.

[Tax-chick]

Yes, you're gloating!

[Old Professer]

Try eating freshly-harvested black walnuts.

[CollegeRepublican]

No self respecting Marylander uses a Mallet to smash crabs. Some people use mallet to crack the claw, but just small knives or their fingers for the rest of the crab. I am very efficient at this, I never use a mallet, and I can clean a crab in about 2 minutes. That is with breaks for drinking beer and maybe taking a bite of some corn.

My experience has been that the crabs are better this year compared to the past 5, but nowhere near as good as the mid-80s. I have been throwing back any females that I catch and I think that everyone should do this, keep the males and throw back females. That should be the law for recreational crabbers. And have a 5 and 1/4 inch limit on all hard shell crabs.

Supposedly there was an increase in bay grasses this past year and parts of the bay were very clear and clean.

[Gabz]

Sorry..............................

[Gabz]

No self respecting Marylander uses a Mallet to smash crabs.

No self respecting resident of DelMarVa uses a Mallet to smash crabs.

One of the first things I learned to do when I first moved to Delaware was how to properly pick a crab, no mallet involved even for the claws, just fingers and a knife.

You can always figure out tourists by the way they pulverize the crabs with the mallets!!!!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Remember Frostie Rootbeer out of Baltimore?
Or Marvels Gingerale?

Frostie is being made again by an outfit in Texas. Whenever I crack one open, the smell takes me back to summers playing in the woods in Easton Md.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Choptank Country!

[CollegeRepublican]

I don't even have mallets at my house. I normally give the claws to my friends anyways. I prefer fin meat, of course. Sorry to leave you out of my statement. You are in the VA part of DelMarVa correct?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Most of the family is there. I'm the oddball that moved to New Mexico. It's nice to visit, but I don't miss the humidity.

[Gabz]

There is actually one mallet in my house - someone gave it to me years ago as a joke.......my daughter uses it as a drumstick!!!!

I love crabs, claws and all!!! but I'm with you, backfin is my favorite!!!

You are correct, I am in the VA part of DelMarVa, 8 miles from the Maryland line. We've been here about 18 months. I spent almost 21 years living in Delaware. In fact this month marks 22 years living on DelMarVa.

I arrived in Dover, fresh out of broadcasting school 10 days before the 1982 elections. I had 1 week to learn as much as I could about Delaware politics because I was going to be on the air live all night election night!!!!

It was my days in radio news that got me interested in the plight of independent watermen and the sometimes unreasonable restrictions placed upon them.

I was working at a station in Caroline County when Maryland imposed the ban on rockfish. We all really thought there was going to be armed conflicts on the Bay.

The independant commercial fishing industry is among the most misunderstood businesses I can think of.

[Gabz]

It's nice to visit, but I don't miss the humidity.

Ah, come on, the humidity is just in your imagination...........ROFL!!!!!!

just kidding with you.

[WildTurkey]

Smashing blue crabs with a mallet to get at the meat is a lot of messy work for very little reward :).

It's not work; it is a social experience. Pass the beer.