The Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population increased significantly in 2026, according to the latest Winter Dredge Survey conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.
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The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey estimates 317 million blue crabs are in the Chesapeake Bay in 2024. This is a slight decrease from the 323 million crabs estimated last year.