According to the results of the 2023-2024 Chesapeake Bay Winter Dredge Survey, adult male and female blue crab abundance decreased, and the female population remains below the target threshold.  Juvenile crab abundance is nearly 1/2 of what it should be.  In spite of this, harvest by weight, dockside value and the number of crabbers all increased in 2023.  There is no need to re-open winter crab dredging too soon.

Now is the time to continue conservation measures to protect winter female crabs, many of which have yet to spawn.  It's short-sighted to borrow from the future to benefit the wallets of a few.