EASTON — The blue crab population has been struggling. For the last four years experts say, it has experienced significant declines, negatively affecting the economy and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. Yet, for some studying blue crab populations, the answer to preserving the species is simple.
Allison Colden, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland, said one of the best ways to help preserve and uplift the rise of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay is by eating more blue catfish.
Though it may sound strange, Colden explained that blue catfish are an invasive species that has been a primarily threat to the blue crab population on the Eastern Shore.
Harvesting and eating more blue catfish can help reduce their numbers and alleviate some of the predation pressure blue catfish are placing on important species like blue crabs, allowing blue crabs and other native species a better chance at survival and growing their low population numbers.
Though the answer is simple, catching and processing blue catfish is a heavily regulated process and unless individuals catch blue catfish themselves it could be incredibly difficult to eat the amount that would benefit native species on the shore.
There is agreement among environmental organizations, political leaders and watermen that creating a more streamlined path from harvesting blue catfish particularly and getting them to market and table is one key to getting control of them.
Many watermen suggest establishing a whole new fishery of blue catfish alongside striped bass, blue crabs, oysters and other Bay produce. It may be the ticket to controlling the blue catfish population while getting a a delicious, nutritious Chesapeake product to the marketplace.
But for commercial fishermen, who have the capacity to harvest thousands of pounds of blue catfish, jumping through the regulatory hoops currently in place is daunting and discouraging.
According to the state’s website, Maryland is a prominent producer and processor of seafood and is the national leader in supplying blue crabs. The Chesapeake Bay provides about 50% of the total blue crab harvest in the United States, and each year, the Maryland seafood industry contributes nearly $600 million to the state’s economy.
Colden said that 2022 had the lowest number of crabs on record according to a dredge survey by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and Maryland Department of Natural Resources documenting population growth from 1990 to the present. These numbers have left experts concerned about the species.
“What has been concerning over the past couple of years is that we’re seeing lower numbers of crabs that are staying low,” Colden said. “In particular, the number of juvenile crabs is now at four years in a row below that long-term average, which is a concern because those juvenile crabs, which are sampled in the wintertime, are the ones that grow up to support the blue crab fishery in the fall.”
Colden said this would mainly affect people on the shore who are fishing for crabs. Low numbers would impact the fishery and impact profits.
According to the 2024 dredge, there was a total crab abundance of 317 million blue crabs, a slight decrease from last year’s estimated population of 323 million. However, it is still above the 2022 record low of 227 million crabs.
In 2024, the adult female crab population decreased to 133 million compared with 152 million last year. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, this number falls far below the target of 215 million adult female crabs needed for a healthy population and sustainable harvest in the Chesapeake Bay.
Juvenile crab numbers improved slightly compared to 2022 numbers, but the juvenile population remained below average for the fourth year. Male crab numbers decreased from 55 million in 2023 to 46 million in 2024 despite male harvest limits instituted last year.
Chris Moore, executive director of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said in a statement, “While juvenile population estimates can vary greatly from year to year, it is encouraging to see a slight increase in this segment of the population. However, given the population estimates from this year’s survey, there remains a significant need to continue to protect adult females and critical nursery habitats, like underwater grasses, in order to help ensure better numbers in the future. “
Colden said she understands that they will not be able to eradicate blue catfish, but eating more of this invasive species would help alleviate factors that are negatively impacting blue crabs, which would give the blue crabs the best chance to bounce back from these low numbers.
“The Department of Natural Resources in Maryland is encouraging people to get out and eat catfish; they’re delicious to eat, they’re fun to fight if you’re a recreational or commercial angler, and it will help reduce the impact that they’re having on our native species blue crabs,” Colden said.
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