Winter Crab Dredge Survey Results to be Released Early-May DNR and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have conducted the primary assessment of the Chesapeake Bay’s Blue Crab population annually since 1990. The survey employs crab dredges to sample blue crabs at 1,500 sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay from December through March. Sampling during winter when blue crabs are usually buried in the mud and stationary, allows scientists to develop, with good precision, estimates of the number of crabs present in the Bay. After review of the survey results, the Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee issues its annual Blue Crab Advisory Report, which helps Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission determine whether management measures are providing adequate conservation for the number of Blue Crabs estimated to be in the Bay during any given year. This ensures that the Blue Crab harvest stays in balance with the population and maintains the strength of the joint management system. Beginning this year, the preliminary survey results will be released in early May to allow more adequate time for checking data, combining the data sets from Virginia and Maryland, and conducting the analyses that produce the Committee’s final stock assessment, which will be completed later in the month.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:06:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015