Blue Crabs Are In Decline

 

Crabbing at the Jersey Shore is a summer thing for most of us, but New Jersey’s Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, is important to the New Jersey economy and the species is in a general decline.

Blue crabs are one of the most economically significant species in New Jersey's commercial fishing industry. The annual dockside value of blue crab harvests averages around $5.7 million. The blue crab fishery supports jobs in both commercial and recreational fishing sectors, contributing to local economies, especially in coastal communities.

An article from the Sierrra Club, Blue Crabs Are In Decline Up and Down the Atlantic Seaboard, is about how someone in South Carolina native is helping conservation efforts by connecting people to water.

I remember crabbing on the bay in Seaside Park and on LBI as a kid and now with grandchildren. Though we do catch and release, the recreational harvest of blue crabs may be equal to or even exceed the commercial harvest1.

Blue crabs play a crucial role in the ecosystem, helping to maintain the balance of marine life in New Jersey's waters

Callinectes sapidus, commonly known as the blue crab, is a species of crab native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. They are named for their blue-colored claws and olive-green carapace. Males have bright blue claws, while females have red-tipped claws. They can grow to a carapace width of about 9 inches (23 cm).

They are found from Nova Scotia to Argentina, with a significant population along the eastern coast of the United States, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf of Mexico. They inhabit estuarine and coastal waters, preferring muddy or sandy bottoms.

Anyone who has been crabbing can tell you that these crabs are omnivores and scavengers, feeding on a wide variety of foods, including small fish, plants, mollusks, and detritus.

Females carry fertilized eggs in a sponge-like mass on their abdomen until they hatch. Each female can produce millions of eggs in a single spawning event. They go through several larval stages before reaching adulthood.

Blue crabs play a significant role in the marine ecosystem as both predators and prey. They help control populations of various species and serve as food for larger animals, including fish and birds. They eat mollusks, fishes, and other crabs.

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