Chesapeake Bay News

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine have announced the Chesapeake Bay’s adult population of blue crabs has increased substantially over last year, indicating management measures put into place in 2008 to address population declines are working.  The results of the most recent bay-wide winter dredge survey, which is conducted annually by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), estimate the total number of crabs overwintering in the Chesapeake Bay during 2008-2009 has increased from 280 million in 2007-2008 to just over 400 million.

The increase in abundance is primarily due to a striking increase in the number of adult female crabs, nearly double last year’s estimate.  Coupled with a 50 percent increase in abundance of adult males, overall adult abundance in 2008-2009 is estimated to be approximately 240 million crabs —  slightly over the interim target level of 200 million set by the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee in early 2008.

Despite the adult population increase, the abundance of young-of-the-year crabs (less than 2 inches across the carapace) did not change measurably from last year, and remains below the 18-year survey average.  These crabs will become vulnerable to the fisheries late in the 2009 season and represent the 2010 spawning potential.

“The success of these management measures sets the stage for the next step of recovery for the Bay’s blue crab, an increase in juveniles that we hope to see next year,” said Governor O’Malley. “The ultimate challenge, of course, is to achieve sustainable crab fishery and maintain it over time.”

“We recognize that this success did not come without unavoidable economic impact to those who work in Maryland’s crabbing industry,” added Governor O’Malley. “I thank them for their conservation efforts and remain committed to mitigating the impact of conservation measures on our working families as we work to create a more profitable and sustainable crab fishery.”

“This is terrific news and a great first step, but this does not mean the problem is solved,” said Governor Kaine. “This scientific survey clearly shows we are on the right path but we need to continue our conservation efforts to rebuild this environmentally and economically vital species. I want to thank our crab industry for their support and endurance through these difficult times.”

Last spring, in response to scientific data that showed the Bay-wide population of blue crabs had plunged 70 percent since 1993, the two Governors agreed to work collaboratively on a Bay-wide effort to rebuild the species by reducing the harvest of the spawning stock of female blue crabs by 34 percent in 2008.

At that time, scientists from both states deemed conservation measures necessary as blue crabs suffered near historic lows in spawning stock.  Despite the states’ shared harvest target of 46 percent, in place since 2001, the combination of low abundance of crabs and continuing high fishing pressure led to more than 60 percent of the Bay’s crab population being harvested in 2007.

Overall, the survey indicates that the 2008 coordinated management actions implemented by the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, were collectively effective at increasing the abundance of spawning–age females, a major goal of the 2008 conservation measures.  These adult females will spawn this summer, and the resulting young crabs will be measured as young-of-the-year during the 2009-2010 survey.  It is expected that the large number of mature female crabs conserved last year will significantly increase the chances of a strong spawn in 2009.

“While we are still above our target exploitation rate of 46 percent, the survey results represent an important first success in moving the Bay’s blue crab population to a healthier state,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Now we must have the discipline to stay the course, so that we may ultimately achieve and maintain a sustainable fishery.”

“It is pleasing to see this collaborative effort to rebuild the Bay’s blue crab population achieve so much, so fast,” said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr. “While much remains to be done, sound science shows we are on the way to creating a sustainable blue crab fishery.”

“The sharp increase in crab abundance was not a random event, nor was it due to improved environmental conditions. It was clearly due to the recent management actions,” said Dr. Rom Lipcius, who directs the VIMS component of the dredge survey. “Now, we have to ensure that these females survive to spawn this summer, and that their offspring produce a healthy spawning stock in coming years.”

Based upon winter dredge survey results, Maryland and Virginia may allow for a modest increase in the harvest of female crabs, while still focusing on the shared goal of ensuring that no more than 46 percent of the available crabs are removed in any year.  The details of any changes to catch limits and or closing dates will be developed in coordination among the management jurisdictions and in consultation with stakeholders. Changes are anticipated by the end of May.

The Bay jurisdictions will be working through 2009 to establish long term management approaches that will maintain focus on annual removal rates,  improve the efficiency and predictability of blue crab management (i.e. develop harvest allocation by jurisdiction) and increase the level of certainty in our management actions (i.e. addressing latent effort).

Governor O’Malley has worked with Maryland legislators to identify funding to help mitigate the economic impact of the regulations on the blue crab industry. The majority of $3 million designated from the State’s FY ’09 Capital budget has funded a work program through which more than 500 watermen have conducted oyster bar rehabilitation activities; $500,000 has been allocated to fund aquaculture projects. An additional $3 million is included in the State’s FY ’10 budget to continue this important work.

In September 2008, Maryland and Virginia were each awarded $10 million in federal blue crab disaster funds from NOAA‘s National Marine Fisheries Service, in response to a request from Governors O’Malley and Kaine, and advocacy by the Maryland Congressional Delegation under the leadership of Senator Barbara Mikulski. Each State also expects to receive $5 million in additional federal disaster funding as a result of recent federal budget action.

Maryland has committed much of its federal blue crab fisheries disaster money toward additional work for watermen, addressing critical issues such as the large volume of unused crabbing licenses ($4 million have been targeted for license buy–backs), a quality crab meat assurance program, additional funding for economic diversification into aquaculture, and enhanced enforcement of crabbing restrictions.

The Bay-wide blue crab winter dredge survey is a cooperative effort between DNR and VIMS, and is the primary survey used to assess the condition of the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population. Since 1990, the survey has employed crab dredges to sample blue crabs at 1,500 sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay from December through March. By sampling during winter when blue crabs are buried in the mud and stationary, scientists can develop, with good precision, estimates of the number of crabs present in the Bay.

Estimates of abundance are developed separately for young of the year crabs, mature female crabs, and adult male crabs. Together, these groups of crabs will support the 2009 fishery and produce the next generation of crabs. In May, the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee (CBSAC) will conduct a complete examination of the blue crab data including dredge survey results and 2008 harvest information. The results of this analysis will be presented in the 2009 Blue Crab Advisory Report to be released in late summer of 2009.

Additional information is available at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/031709crabdredgebrief.pdf.

Proposal Requires Complimentary Recreational Crabbing License; Sets Daily Female Blue Crab Bushel Limits & Seasonal Closures for Commercial Crabbers

Maryland Department of Natural Resources has proposed recreational and commercial blue crab harvest regulations for the 2009 season. Designed to help rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population and fishery, the proposed regulations continue the scientifically established conservation goals of reducing female blue crab harvest by 34 percent and ensuring that no more than 46 percent of the blue crab population is harvested annually.

“These regulations reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that Maryland’s iconic blue crab, and the local businesses and favorite family and community gatherings who rely upon it, continue for generations to come,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “From these regulations, we expect scientifically measurable benefits, and a more sustainable future for both blue crabs and watermen.  The environmental need for these regulations, combined with federal and state assistance for impacted watermen, provides the most sensible path to restore the Chesapeake’s blue crab population.”

The proposed regulations for the 2009 Chesapeake Bay commercial blue crab fishery include daily bushel limits for mature female hard crabs and seasonal closures.

“Recognizing the influence of harvest restrictions, we designed the 2009 regulations to make the impact more manageable and equitable throughout the bay and season, while still protecting the most reproductively valuable female blue crabs,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. “We worked with watermen an other interested groups throughout the summer and fall of 2008 to develop next year’s regulations.”

The proposed regulations close the commercial season for harvesting mature female hard crabs from June 1 through June 15, Sept. 26 through Oct. 4, and Nov. 11 to Dec. 15, 2009.  Additionally, in order to protect blue crabs from overfishing, DNR proposes to limit excess harvest capacity by temporarily freezing unused licenses.  Limited Commercial Crabbing license holders (LCC’s) who did not harvest between 2004 and 2008 will be designated as inactive until the blue crab population recovers.

Female blue crab daily catch limits will be set by public notice after DNR receives results of the winter dredge survey in April.  These bushel limits will be based on a waterman’s license type.  If results from the 2009 blue crab winter dredge survey indicate a significant improvement in the bay’s blue crab population, DNR may consider liberalizing commercial bushel limits and season dates.  Likewise, if the survey indicates continued population decrease, further harvest restrictions would be necessary.

The proposed regulations require all recreational crabbers not currently licensed to register for a complimentary license from DNR online or at one of the DNR seven license service centers across the state.  Additionally, the prohibition on female blue crab harvest (except soft crabs) for recreational crabbers established in 2008 will remain in place.

“We need more precise, annual bay-wide recreational blue crab harvest information in order to better manage this fishery,” explained Tom O’Connell, Maryland Fisheries Service Director.  “By requiring that all recreational crabbers are either licensed or registered, we can increase the accuracy of our survey and more reliably obtain the information our biologists need.”

The current abundance of adult or reproductive-age blue crabs is 120 million crabs, only slightly above the established minimum safe threshold of 86 million reproductive-age crabs, is 70 percent lower than 1990 levels and well below the conservation target of 200 million crabs.

“Protecting female blue crabs offers the best opportunity for the quickest recovery,” continued Griffin. “We will continue to work with scientists, recreational crabbers, the commercial crab industry, conservationists, and local businesses to ensure a sustainable future for our blue crabs so that the species can continue to fulfill its ecological role within the Bay while also supporting the local economies that rely upon it.”

The proposed regulations will be published in the Maryland Register on Jan. 16, 2009.  DNR will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 in the Queen Anne County Public Library – Kent Island Branch’s meeting room. Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals will be provided upon request.  Public comments may also be submitted via mail to Sarah Widman, Fisheries Service, B-2, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Md. 21401, by calling 410-260-8260, by faxing to 410-260-8278 or emailing to fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us.

Earlier this year, in response to a request from Governors O’Malley and Kaine, NOAA‘s National Marine Fisheries Service declared a federal fishery disaster for Chesapeake Bay watermen and women who rely on blue crabs.  The $10 million in federal funding accompanying the declaration will be used to help keep watermen working through habitat restoration projects, fishery monitoring and retraining for industry diversification into aquaculture opportunities.  In November, more than 100 watermen began oyster bar rehabilitation work in the Severn and Patuxent Rivers and Tangier Sound, as part of Governor O’Malley’s plan to keep watermen working.

Reducing female blue crab harvest is one of many actions taken by the O’Malley Administration to help restore the Chesapeake Bay.  Recent successes include strengthening the Critical Area Law to protect the most sensitive and significant shoreline habitats; implementing BayStat to more effectively target our resources and efforts; creating the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund; and launching GreenPrint to help guide land conservation and growth. For more information about these smart, green, and growing initiatives visit www.green.maryland.gov.

Maryland’s blue crab season runs from April 1 to Dec. 15.  For more information about Maryland’s efforts to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population and historic blue crab harvest data, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrnews/infocus/blue_crab.asp.  A detailed summary of the proposed regulations will be posted online at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/proposedregulations.html.

On April 21, 2008, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposed new recreational and commercial harvest regulations to help rebuild the Chesapeake Bay blue crab population and fishery. The proposed regulations are designed to reduce female blue crab harvest by 34 percent in 2008.

“We must take action today to ensure that Maryland’s iconic blue crab and the economy it supports continue to be important parts of our culture for generations to come,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “The historic cooperation and coordination between Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission has created an unparalleled opportunity to protect and restore our shared blue crab resource.  By working together, we will protect the most biologically important blue crabs from the beginning of their migration until they spawn in late spring and summer.”

The proposed emergency regulations for the 2008 Chesapeake Bay commercial blue crab fishery include an early closure to the season for harvesting female crabs and catch limits on female crabs earlier in the fall.  DNR’s preferred regulatory option being introduced as an emergency regulatory package today, would close commercial harvest of female crabs on October 23 and impose individualized catch limits effective September 1 based on a waterman’s recent annual average reported female blue crab harvest.  The proposed emergency regulations for the 2008 Chesapeake Bay recreational fishery prohibit any female blue crab harvest.

Protecting female blue crabs by reducing recreational and commercial harvests represents the best opportunity for the quickest rebound,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin.  “We will continue to work with scientists, recreational crabbers, the commercial crab industry, conservationists, and local businesses to ensure a sustainable future for our blue crabs so that the species can continue to fulfill its ecological role within the Bay while also supporting the local economies that rely upon it.”

The current abundance of adult or reproductive-age blue crabs is 120 million crabs, only slightly above the established minimum safe threshold of 86 million reproductive-age crabs, is 70 percent lower than 1990 levels and well below the conservation target of 200 million crabs.  Since 2001, Maryland and Virginia have shared a conservation goal of limiting annual blue crab harvest to no more than 46 percent of the species population.  Scientists estimate that more than 60 percent of the Bay’s adult crab population was harvested last year.  In Maryland, the 2007 commercial blue crab harvest of approximately 21.8 million pounds was one of the lowest recorded since 1945.

Governor O’Malley has committed to working closely with Maryland’s blue crab industry to develop mitigation options for the potential short term economic impacts resulting from the proposed regulations. The fiscal year 2009 capital budget for DNR included $3 million for habitat restoration projects, seafood processing industry grants and aquaculture development.

More than 500 individual comments have been submitted on blue crab management to the DNR since it initiated a public comment process in February. DNR’s public comment process thus far has included nine public and Sport and Tidal Fish Advisory Commissions meetings and an on-going online comment process. The proposed draft regulations will be reviewed by the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review. The proposed regulations will be published in the Maryland Register on May 23, 2008.

DNR will hold two public hearings on the regulatory proposal – one on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Governor’s Hall at Sailwinds Park in Cambridge, and one on June 4 at 7 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis.  Sign language interpreters and other appropriate accommodations for individuals will be provided upon request.  Public comments may also be submitted via mail to Sarah Widman, Fisheries Service, B-2, Tawes State Office Building, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, by calling 410-260-8260, by faxing to 410-260-8278 or emailing to fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us.

A variety of factors including over-fishing, poor water quality, loss of habitat such as submerged aquatic vegetation and oyster reefs, and changing climatic conditions have contributed to the decline of the Bay’s blue crab population.  Reducing female blue crab harvest is one of many actions taken by the O’Malley Administration to help restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.  Recent successes include strengthening the Critical Area Law to protect the most sensitive and significant shoreline habitats; securing an additional $25 million annually for Bay restoration efforts through the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund; and implementing the BayStat Initiative to track progress and more effectively target our efforts.