CRABS AND CRABBING RED KAYAK PROJECT LILI W.

CRABS Callinectes spidus (kal I nek’ tes sap’ idues) is the blue crabs scientific name which is translated into “savory beautiful swimmer.” By walking sideways and using their sharp lateral spines blue crabs create a path. Large males usually have blue claws and legs while females have bright orange tips on their claws. Females are usually smaller than males who sometimes grow to be 7 or 8 inches.

CRABBING BAIT RecreationalCommercial Chicken NecksEel Turkey Necks Bull Lip Menhaden

ECONOMY The crab industries success largely depends on the crab population and demand. Even though the crab population has risen from an earlier drop the industry populations themselves have still not risen. In 1995 there were 53 licensed distributers. Today there are only about 15.

REGULATIONS IN MARYLAND Female harvest is prohibited except for female crabs Minumum sizes for males vary from: 5” to 5 ¼” for hard crabs 3 1/4 “ to 3 ½” for peelers And 3 1/2 “ for soft Recreational crabbers can only catch one bushel per day

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES The population of crabs has been dropping since The population has just risen recently. Several reasons that this happen are: Over harvesting Environmental Degradation Capturing Females Nursery Habitats being Destroyed

BIBLIOGRAPHY chesapeake-crab-study-points-to-need-for-continued-protection-for- females/2011/08/09/gIQA0NkU5I_story.html chesapeake-crab-study-points-to-need-for-continued-protection-for- females/2011/08/09/gIQA0NkU5I_story.html industry-struggles industry-struggles bull-lips-veal-razor-clams-eel-and-chicken-necks-have-in-common/ bull-lips-veal-razor-clams-eel-and-chicken-necks-have-in-common/ e=bluecrab e=bluecrab