2025 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Advisory Report

Each year, from December to March, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Institute of Marine Science conduct the Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey to estimate the abundance of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. The estimated abundance of mature females from the Winter Dredge Survey and female harvest estimates from each jurisdiction are used to assess blue crab stock status relative to female-specific management reference points. The Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee (CBSAC) meets each spring to review the results of the latest Winter Dredge Survey and the previous season’s harvest estimates to develop management recommendations for the jurisdictions. This report summarizes the 2025 Winter Dredge Survey and 2024 harvest data discussed at the May 15, 2025, CBSAC meeting.