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Chesapeake blue crab population at lowest since 1990, survey finds
The number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay is estimated to be at the lowest level observed since an annual survey tracking the population began in 1990, officials announced.
Virginia seafood packer faces prison for falsely labeling foreign crab
The owner of a Virginia seafood company has pleaded guilty to conspiring to falsely label foreign crabmeat as fresh Chesapeake blue crab.
Va. seafood supplier accused of diluting blue crab meat with imported crab
In an unusual probe, federal agents fanned out to markets across Virginia, Delaware and North Carolina, scooping up crab meat from Casey's Seafood and sending it out for the type of DNA analysis more common in rape and murder cases.
Restaurants stay ‘True Blue’ with Maryland crabs
ANNAPOLIS — This is the time of year when Cathy Chisholm’s taste buds yearn for Maryland crabcakes. Not Maryland-style crabcakes. The Davidsonville resident said she can taste the difference in freshness between the home grown dish and those made elsewhere. And even though she knows she’s getting Maryland crab meat when she eats at Vin […]
Survey shows significant drop in blue crabs in bay
ANNAPOLIS — The number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has dropped steeply, according to an annual survey released Friday, and Maryland officials said they will work with the crabbing industry to reduce bushel limits by about 10 percent for female crabs this year. On a positive note, the number of spawning-age females increased […]
Cold weather keeps crabs at bottom of Chesapeake
ANNAPOLIS — For months, there’s been a countdown on the Maryland Seafood website, ticking down the months, days, hours, minutes and even seconds to the most anticipated seafood season of the year: crabbing season. Monday marks the start of crabbing for both commercial watermen and recreational crabbers who seek the sweet meat of Maryland’s blue […]
Md. led nation in 2011 crab catch
Maryland’s crab harvest last year led the nation. That’s according to figures released Wednesday by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Nearly 200 million pounds of blue crabs were landed nationwide last year, with Maryland accounting for more than 25 percent of the harvest. Louisiana was second with 22 percent and Virginia third at 19 percent. […]
Fed figures show Md. led nation in 2011 crab catch
Maryland’s crab harvest last year led the nation. That’s according to figures released Wednesday by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Nearly 200 million pounds of blue crabs were landed nationwide last year, with Maryland accounting for more than 25 percent of the harvest. Louisiana was second with 22 percent and Virginia third at 19 percent. […]
Md. blue crabs bigger and cheaper this season
FENWICK ISLAND — Picture them laid out on a brown paper-wrapped picnic table: Steaming hot Maryland blue crabs, covered in Old Bay. Add to that fresh corn on the cob, steamed shrimp, fried chicken and hush puppies, with steam rising off the whole setup. Is your mouth watering yet? It’s crab season at the beach, […]
Scientists: Storm damage to Chesapeake Bay not bad
HAMPTON, Va. — It’s rare good news for the Chesapeake Bay. Scientists say the huge sediment plume that formed in the bay after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee did not cause the widespread damage they had feared. The plume stretched dozens of miles and was of particular concern to the Susquehanna Flats, the area […]
Va. regulators ban dredging crabs during winter
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Virginia regulators on Tuesday reinstituted a ban on dredging blue crabs during the winter months to try to help rebuild their numbers in the Chesapeake Bay. The century-old winter harvest involves the dragging of steel-toothed dredges that scoop up hibernating crabs and primarily targets pregnant females. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission […]
Maryland watermen leaders support new female crab focus
EASTON — The leaders of two Maryland watermen’s groups say they support a new approach to managing Chesapeake Bay blue crab stocks that focuses on how many females are in the bay. A federal assessment released this week recommends tracking female crab numbers and their harvest. Maryland Watermen’s Association President Larry Simns tells The Star […]
