Latest news with #VirginiaInstituteofMarineScience
CBS News
14-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Could Maryland's declining crab population impact the price of your next feast?
The blue crab population in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay is among the lowest it's been in 35 years, but watermen say this won't impact the cost of crabs this summer. A survey by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources estimated total crab abundance is at 238 million, a 25% drop from 317 million in 2024. This is the lowest count since surveys began in 1990. Blue crab population declines in Maryland and Virginia According to the report, this year's decline affected all population segments. The population of adult male crabs dropped to 26 million, adult female crabs dropped to 108 million and juvenile crabs dropped to 103 million. The numbers are significantly lower than those in the 2024 report, which showed levels were slightly below average. "It's definitely a red flag, and people should be considering what comes next for blue crabs," said Dr. Allison Colden, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "We have seen the number of females around this range produce many more juvenile crabs than we are seeing now. What that signals to us is that there may have been a shift in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem." The blue crab is an indicator of the health of the bay, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). The annual survey between Maryland and Virginia looks at 1,500 sites and is conducted in the winter when crabs are embedded in the bottom of the bay and not moving. The numbers are then translated to the summer season. The number of juvenile crabs is also a key observation that provides a better scope of what the population will look like in the summer and fall. Why are blue crab populations declining? Blue crab populations can vary dramatically year-to-year due to weather trends, predator numbers and habitat availability. The loss of critical crab habitats, such as underwater grasses, threatens the species. Invasive predators like blue catfish also pose a significant threat to blue crabs, so much so that the CBF recommends that fishermen catch and sell them to help the bay. Climate change and polluted runoff can be detrimental to young and spawning crabs. Chesapeake Bay area residents believe blue crabs are the bay animal that is most in need of protection, according to a poll taken by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation earlier in 2025. Demand for blue crab in Maryland The blue crab is the economic engine of the Chesapeake Bay and a summer staple on the shores of Maryland. They are not only a delicious meal, but the bread and butter of business on the bay. The crabbing industry in Maryland adds $600 million to the state's economy. It's the state's largest fishery, and provides half of the country's blue crabs. Watermen spend hours on the bay, hoping their pots are plentiful and reminiscing about days gone by when there were more crabs to catch. "There used to be a lot of crabs back in the day. A lot. Nowhere near what's there now. They used to go out, catch as many as they want and come in," said Nicholas Malec, a waterman whose family owns Lady Frances Crab House in Essex. The demand from customers is ever present, especially on warm summer weekends. The unpredictability of the business is a challenge for crab houses. Malec has been on the water his whole life, working with his family. His grandparents owned a crab house when he was growing up. Lady Frances Crab House has been in business for 29 years. "There are days we have to close because we don't have crabs," Malec said. "Like today, we went out and it wasn't that good. Tomorrow, we could go out and catch them again." Robbie Seiders has been on the water for 20 years. He used to sell crabs wholesale from his home. He built a steam trailer to sell this summer in Bowley's Quarters and Brooms Bloom in Harford County. The season sputtered to a start after a spring cold snap. The warmer temperatures mean more crabs to catch and sell. He took us out to check his pots, finding a sliver of optimism for the rest of the season. In his pots, he found not only a jumbo crab, which he can sell for a lot of money, but also a juvenile crab, which signifies hope for the seasons ahead. "Normally, something like that would need to be there for a couple days, but to have them go in there in a few hours, that's pretty good," Seiders said. "I was going to take tomorrow off, but I don't think I am anymore." Impact on crab prices in Maryland Watermen say that as the water gets warmer, their crab pots are filling up. But what does this mean for crab prices this summer? "Just because you're not catching anything doesn't mean you can jack the price up through the roof, because then people just won't want them," Seiders said. Malec agreed, noting that his prices stay the same, so customers know what to expect. "Stay kind of consistent with everybody," Malec said. "When we have a lot of crabs, we try to drop our prices to get rid of them." These watermen said Marylanders won't have to dig further into their wallets to buy crabs this summer. The major price driver isn't the supply, but the thousands of dollars it takes to even be on the water. "To maintain the boat, to pay help, to pay to keep the boat at the dock, or to keep up with new crab pots. They're things are very expensive," Seiders explained. "Those are the kinds of things that drive the price of crabs up. I'm pretty optimistic for the rest of the season. I think we are going to have a great year all the way up until it gets cold, maybe Halloween, maybe even Thanksgiving."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Extremely distressing' Chesapeake Bay blue crab populations call for curtailing harvest, experts say
Blue crab populations in the Chesapeake Bay took a sizable hit in 2025, marking a need for more cautious harvest regulations, some environmentalists say. Each winter, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at William & Mary cooperate on a dredge survey to record the population of blue crabs. During the survey, biologists use dredge equipment to capture, measure, record and release blue crabs at 1,500 sites throughout the Chesapeake Bay from December through March. VIMS covers the entire Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay, sampling more than 750 stations. This year, the survey found there are about 238 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay, a decrease from last year's 317 million crabs. The decline was seen in pretty much all demographics, including adult male crabs at 26 million, adult female crabs at 108 million, and juvenile crabs at 103 million. According to Chesapeake Progress, a tool created to track and report the bay's restoration, a sustainable population must have at least 72 million females, and the ultimate goal is 196 million females. The Chesapeake Bay's health declines as extreme weather increases Blue crab population rebounds but remains below targets Blue catfish are invasive to the Chesapeake Bay. By eating them, Virginians can help save the bay. Crab populations can fluctuate since their success can depend on multiple factors. These include weather, the population of their predators, and the availability of their habitat, and often, populations can experience a 'boom-or-bust' cycle. Mandy Bromilow, blue crab program manager for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said freezing temperatures earlier in the year likely had an impact on survivorship. She said this means crabs had a 'very high mortality rate,' and the results mark the second lowest population since the surveys began in 1990. The lowest population was reported in 2022. Chris Moore, the Virginia executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said this year's blue crabs survey is 'extremely distressing.' According to the foundation, the loss of critical crab habitat like 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 for young and spawning crabs. 'Blue crabs are a staple on our plates, in our water and in our culture,' Moore said. 'We must protect them in order to ensure their important role in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and preserve sustainable harvests for the most valuable commercial fishery in the bay. Given the continued decline of males in the population, Virginia should look for ways to reduce harvest of male crabs — which has been a growing part of our crab harvest.' According to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, located in Hampton, Virginia's adaptive approach to fisheries management 'continues to effectively address the highly dynamic nature of the Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population.' Last year, Virginia reduced its crab harvest from the bay by 18%, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission reduced harvest by 14%. Maryland increased its 2024 harvest by 1%, and the combined result was a harvest reduction of about 7% across the bay. 'While this year's survey shows a decline in overall abundance, Virginia watermen have experienced good catch rates so far this season,' Jamie Green, a marine resources commissioner, said in a statement. 'These kinds of fluctuations are not unusual in a dynamic system like the Chesapeake Bay, and they reinforce why our adaptive management approach is so critical.' Next year, Virginia and Maryland researchers will complete a comprehensive stock assessment for blue crabs — the first time since 2011. While the dredge survey provides a snapshot in time, the comprehensive stock assessment provides a more well-rounded view of what factors are affecting blue crabs using years of data. Once the assessment is complete, marine life managers then use that data to regulate harvest rates. The assessment will be completed by March 2026. '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,' Bromilow said. 'Until then, we need to maintain caution in our management approach for blue crabs.' Eliza Noe,
Miami Herald
31-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Texas Map Shows Cities Where Sea Level Rise is Accelerating
Several coastal cities in Texas are facing rising sea levels that could impact infrastructure and homes, according to new data. Research from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science has revealed that some of the highest sea level rises in the United States are along the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S.'s coastline is densely populated and will be vulnerable to more frequent and intense flooding, coastal erosion, and the loss of critical infrastructure as sea levels continue to rise. In particular, Texas has many cities and towns located along the Gulf Coast. These sea level changes will profoundly impact life in some of the country's largest cities and could even lead to the displacement of communities. The 2024 sea level analysis, based on 55 years of data from tide gauges across 36 U.S. coastal communities, uses historical measurements at specific locations, meaning each city has a specific sea level increase. According to the data, mapped by Newsweek, three cities in Texas reported high sea level rises in 2024. Rockport saw the highest recorded rise, at 7.1 millimeters a year, while Galveston saw a rise of 6.8 millimeters. Port Isabel, meanwhile, recorded a sea level rise rate of 5.2 millimeters a year. All three cities are heavily exposed to the Gulf. However, other cities along the Gulf coastline in different states reported significantly lower sea level rises. In Florida, cities like Pensacola and Cedar Key reported increases of less than 4 millimeters per year, and even Key West, which is located on an island separated from the Florida mainland, reported just 3.6 millimeters, roughly half that of Rockport. Piper Wallingford, Climate Resilience Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, told Newsweek: "Rising sea levels that we see today are primarily caused by warmer temperatures associated with climate change. As the planet warms, the oceans are undergoing thermal expansion, where warm water takes up more space than cooler water. "Warmer global temperatures are also causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt, adding additional water to the oceans. Local conditions like topography and erosion can lead to faster or slower rates compared to the global average, but overall sea level rise is expected to accelerate in the next century as further greenhouse gas emissions create feedback loops." If sea levels continue to rise, urban areas may need to consider drastic measures to prevent flooding and other disruptions to city life. Related Articles Elon Musk's Starbase City Warns Residents Over Property RightsCensors Allowed to Remove Books From Libraries, Court Rules'Trump Burger' Gets Scathing Reviews From Food Critics: 'Bland'More Property Tax Relief Coming For Texans 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Axios
23-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Chesapeake Bay blue crab population plunges near record low
The Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population has dropped to record, "distressing" lows, according to the annual Winter Dredge Survey. Why it matters: The yearly "crab count" measures the abundance and health of the population — and by virtue, the Bay — and this year's report is among the most dire in decades. The results can inform fishing regulations, such as catch limitations and shortened harvesting seasons, which can also impact market price and availability. State of play: After years of decline, the 2025 crab population hit an estimated 238 million — the second lowest count since the surveys began in 1990, according to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which jointly conduct the survey. The crab population hit an estimated all-time low in 2022, with 226 million crabs. That year, Maryland limited its commercial catch for the first time ever to address the decline, while harvests were also restricted in Virginia. Threat level: The survey shows declines in all segments of the crab population, from adult males (about 26 million) to females (108 million) and juveniles (103 million). The numbers in all groups are significantly lower than last year, when officials told Axios, "we have little reason for any type of alarm." A plethora of causes can contribute to decline, from overfishing to habitat loss (e.g. underwater grasses), predation — especially by invasive species like blue catfish — and run-off pollution. The big picture: The dire crab-cast comes at a critical time for the Chesapeake. Decades of cleanup efforts have brought the nation's largest estuary back from the brink in the '70s, when dead zones were rampant, species threatened, and "Save the Bay" became a regional mantra. Environmental groups like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) have been warning of the potentially disastrous impact of the Trump administration's cuts on the EPA and NOAA, and funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program, which Trump repeatedly threatened to slash in his first administration. Protection efforts are particularly tricky given the Bay's massive watershed, which spans six states and the District, and the tangle of local and federal regulatory bodies that can contradict. Just last year, Virginia officials voted to lift a prohibition on winter crab harvesting for the first time in nearly 15 years — which Maryland opposed. The decision was ultimately reversed. Zoom in: After years of negative dredge survey results, the CBF is urging Virginia and Maryland fisheries and state regulators to reduce crab harvests and strengthen protections for female crabs. They're also calling on the federal government to keep funding organizations that support Bay health and protections. "The red flags are flying for blue crabs," Allison Colden, CBF's Maryland director, says in a statement. "It is clear that changing conditions in the Bay are undermining the current management of this important species." Between the lines: The dredge survey is a "snapshot" taken annually, where scientists and commercial watermen dredge up crabs "hibernating" on the Bay's bottom in cold winter months, assess them, and return them safely.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Maryland's Chesapeake Bay sees concerning drop in blue crab population
Maryland's Chesapeake Bay is seeing a concerning drop in its population of blue crabs, according to the Chesapeake Bay foundation. The survey, conducted jointly by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources, estimated total crab abundance at 238 million, the lowest count since surveys began in 1990. According to the report, this year's decline affected all population segments. Adult male crabs dropped to 26 million, adult female crabs to 108 million, and juvenile crabs to 103 million. The numbers are significantly lower than 2024's results, which were just slightly below average. Why are blue crab numbers declining? Blue crab populations can vary dramatically year by year due to weather trends, predator numbers, and habitat availability. The loss of critical crab habitat, such as underwater grasses, threatens the species. Invasive predators like blue catfish also pose a significant threat to blue crabs. Climate change and polluted runoff can be detrimental to young and spawning crabs. Chesapeake Bay area residents believe blue crabs are the Bay animal most in need of protection, according to polling results conducted by Chesapeake Bay Foundation earlier this year. What does the CBF recommend? The CBF recommends that Maryland maintain its existing regulations for male crabs and strengthen protections for female crabs. The foundation also recommends that the state reduce imports of egg-bearing "sponge" crabs from Virginia. Virginia should reduce its blue crab harvest and consider additional protections for males, which have reached a historic low, according to the foundation. The organization also that the federal government should fully fund programs and agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Environmental Protection Agency that support regional clean water initiatives protecting blue crab habitat.
