Low blue crab counts have led to new restrictions on harvesting male and female crustaceans that go into effect July 1 in Maryland and Virginia
noted a serious decline in male crabs, leading to a new restriction on harvesting them. Scientists hypothesize that the falling number of male crabs has created a sperm shortage for spawning females, which could be one of the things contributing to the decreasing crab population.
The survey revealed a plunge in the number of female crabs, from 158 million in 2021 to 97 million this year. It also found a three-year continuation of a below-average number of juvenile crabs, estimated at 101 million. Under the new restrictions, the harvest of females will continue to be limited — between nine and 17 bushels in July and August and 17 and 32 bushels in September and October.