Maryland crab population booming

Maryland’s annual winter crab survey found that the crab population in the Chesapeake Bay is at its highest since 1993, possibly thanks to strict conservation measures enforced after a population drop four years ago. Though the overall high numbers are good news for fishermen, the survey also found that female crab numbers dropped by nearly half since last year, and in a separate study scientists announced that the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality declined. Recently, the state approved legislation for measures to improve water quality.

Maryland officials told The Baltimore Sun that crab catch limits should not change this year.

Read more at The Baltimore Sun.

Image credit: NOAA.