Common Name	Blue Crab	Conservation Notes
Scientific Name	Callinectes sapidus	Sustainability Ratings/Certifications
Market Names	Softshell crab	Buying Tips
Sushi Name	Kani	Health/Nutrition

   FIND SUPPLIERS NOW  

BLUE CRAB MARKET ALERT - updated April 2012

There was nothing but good news coming out of the Chesapeake Bay this spring, when results of the annual winter dredge survey showed an explosion in the population of this East Coast seafood staple. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, which conducts the survey together with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the population of blue crabs in the Bay soared to some 764 million blue crabs, an increase of 66 percent in just one year, and the highest number since 1993.

But the good news gets even better. The data from the survey showed the number of juvenile crab which will enter the fishery in subsequent years, was the “highest ever recorded.” The only cautionary note was the fact that the number of mature female crabs declined. However, biologists say they aren’t worried because of the huge overall numbers of crab.

In recent years, the Chesapeake Bay fishery has produced about half of all the U.S. blue crab catch, but given the new survey numbers that percentage could go back up to the historical average of about two-thirds. Louisiana and North Carolina are the other two major blue crab producers.

The combination of a warm winter and a lot of crab, meant softshell crab were readily available in mid April, almost a month earlier than normal. Look for the price of a dozen prime softshells to be about $12 in early May, once the harvest really takes off.

With so many crabs in the Chesapeake, blue crab, unlike most other U.S.-produced crab, should be a much better buy this summer. The New York price of a bushel of No. 1 male crabs should drop below $40 by July when landings peak. Meanwhile, processors in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina will be again be challenged to pick as much meat as they could due to the ongoing shortages of immigrant labor. That should keep meat prices at a relatively high level, compared to live crab. .

Conservation Notes

Life History/Inherent Vulnerability: Blue crabs grow and reproduce quickly in the United States, making their inherent vulnerability to fishing pressure low.

Status of Stocks/Abundance: Blue crab abundance fluctuates greatly. Some populations have experienced a drastic decline due to habitat loss from coastal development and pollution. Blue crab fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay have rebounded to historically high levels. While not considered “overfished,” several states list the crabs as a species of concern.

Fishing Impacts on Habitat: These crabs are primarily caught using traps, which have a moderate effect on local habitats, depending on the area. They’re also caught with dredges and bottom trawls that can do great damage to marine habitats. Some blue crabs are caught with a series of baited droplines called trotlines.

Bycatch, Nature and Extent: The main bycatch in this fishery consists of juveniles that can easily be released alive. Many states require crab pots to have escape rings to reduce this kind of bycatch. Protected diamondback terrapin turtles can also be negatively impacted by interactions with blue crab traps.

Management Effectiveness: Each state manages blue crab and all have regulations in place. Some include area restrictions, minimum size limits, bycatch limits, and gear restrictions. Management measures haven’t yet successfully addressed overcapitalization in many blue crab fisheries. In addition, catch data from the Gulf of Mexico are inadequate.

Sustainability Ratings and Certifications

	Seafood Watch	SeaChoice	FishWise	Blue Ocean Institute	New England Aquarium	Marine Stewardship Council
U.S. Trap/Pot-caught	Good Alternative	Some Concerns	Good Alternative	Yellow	B List

Rating Explanation

Each of the conservation organizations' ratings assess the U.S. blue crab fisheries as a single assessment.

Buying Tips

• Soft-shells are split up into five grades; whales (5.5"+), jumbos (5"-5.5"), primes (4.5"-5"), hotels (4"-4.5") and mediums (3.5"-4")
• Soft-shell crab is usually shipped live, however it is common for the blue crab to perish in transit
• Smell is the only real indicator of freshness, and any crab that has an odor resembling ammonia should not be served
• Some buyers suggest that the summer peak is the best time to buy crab
• The primary producing states are Maryland, North & South Carolina and Louisiana: Maryland's colder waters and estuaries produce a blue crab high in flavorable fat; Carolina blue crabs are considered second to Maryland; and Louisiana provides options for price sensitive customers who like a larger crab
• The best way to store a soft-shell crab is in cool, moist packaging. While producers suggest that the shelf life for soft-shell crabs is 5 - 6 days that includes all of the shipping and processing time; In the Midwest a shelf life of 2 - 3 days can be expected; and on the West Coast a shelf life of 1 - 2 days can be expected

Nutrition and Health

 *Due to concerns about mercury & PCBs, Adults should meals to no more than 2 meals/month and Children under the age of 12 should limit meals to 1 meal/month

Acknowledgements

• Seafood Watch by Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Blue Ocean Institute
• SeaChoice
• Environmental Defense Fund