Chesapeake Blue Crab Numbers Drop To Second-Lowest Number In Recent History

MARYLAND — Blue crabs in Maryland and Virginia have dipped to the second-lowest number in recent history, according to the annual winter dredge survey conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

According to the survey results released Thursday, there are an estimated 238 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2025, a decrease from last year’s 317 million crabs and the second lowest since the surveys began in 1990. This comes just three years after an all-time low in 2022 of 226 million crabs.

This year’s decline spread across all segments of the population, including adult male crabs at 26 million, adult female crabs at 108 million and juvenile crabs at 103 million. The juvenile abundance marks a decrease from 138 million last year and the third-lowest abundance on record.

These numbers are significantly lower than 2024's results, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which were just slightly below average.

“We saw a very high mortality rate among blue crabs this winter, likely due to several cold snaps,” said Mandy Bromilow, blue crab program manager for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “With the results of the stock assessment next year, we hope to have more insight on what could be contributing to the ongoing low juvenile recruitment and what we can do to support the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crabs."

Blue crab numbers can vary dramatically year by year, depending on weather trends, predator numbers and habitat availability. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the loss of critical crab habitat, such as underwater grasses and the rise of invasive predators like blue catfish, can threaten blue crabs.

Other factors like climate change and polluted runoff can also be detrimental to young and spawning crabs.

Chesapeake Bay area residents believe blue crabs are the Bay animal in most need of protection, according to polling results conducted by the foundation earlier this year.

"Because of the blue crab's short lifespan, no single response can be the solution," the foundation said in a statement. "Only a comprehensive and collaborative approach will improve the population."

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