![]() ![]() Females migrate to the mouth of the Bay to spawn and can produce between 750,000 and 3,200,000 eggs per brood. In the Chesapeake Bay, blue crabs mate and spawn from spring to fall.They stay with her after mating until her shell hardens and to ensure another male doesn’t mate with her. To mate, a male crab cradles a female crab in a pose known as a “doubler” for a few days before the female’s terminal molt.Crabs are eaten by large fish, some fish-eating birds (like great blue herons), and sea turtles.Blue crabs eat almost anything, including clams, oysters, mussels, smaller crustaceans, freshly dead fish, plant and animal detritus-and smaller and soft-shelled blue crabs.The largest blue crab caught in the Chesapeake Bay weighed 1.1 pounds and was 10.72 inches (tip to tip across the carapace). While a blue crab usually weighs about ⅓ pound, the edible portion is much lower.However, they are usually harvested before they reach that size. Blue crabs can grow to about 9 inches across (from tip to tip) their hard shell (carapace).Females molt once, just before they are ready to mate. Males molt multiple times during their lives. Because they lose hard parts during the molting process, it can be difficult to determine the age of a crab. Crabs molt-they shed their hard shell-as they grow.But in the Chesapeake Bay, it may take 18 months. In the Gulf of Mexico, crabs may reach maturity within a year. Growth rates are affected by water temperature-they grow more quickly in warmer water. They reach maturity in 12 to 18 months.Blue crabs generally live for 3 or 4 years.The data are examined with respect to the reference points (from the benchmark stock assessment) to determine how the population is doing. It’s the only fisheries survey in the Chesapeake Bay that assesses population Bay-wide on an annual basis. Each year, Maryland and Virginia conduct winter dredge surveys to track blue crab population numbers.An annual Blue Crab Advisory Report (PDF, 31 pages) developed collaboratively by the jurisdictions that manage Chesapeake Bay blue crabs helps decision makers, too. Resource managers use this number as a guide when they set regulations each year. A benchmark stock assessment completed in 2011 generated reference points for the female blue crab population in the Bay. In the Chesapeake Bay, NOAA, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources work together to conduct stock assessments.In managing blue crab fisheries, resource managers look at overall trends rather than just the number of blue crabs in any given year. Blue crab populations naturally are highly variable from year to year.Some other perfect tiny dining rooms include the Crab Alley in Odenton, Linda's Cafe in Lexington Park, and Peter's Carryout in Bethesda. Which tiny restaurants in Maryland are worth trying?ĭrum Point Market, in Tylerton, is the epitome of a tiny hole-in-the-wall that will blow you away with the best food around. Maryland truly is a foodie's dream come true! Ocean City has made a name for itself with delicious salt water taffy, crabby Bloody Mary cocktails, and the best boardwalk fries you'll ever try, from Thrashers, served with vinegar. Anyone with a sweet tooth will be quick to mention that both Otterbein's and Berger cookies are easy to find here, and Baltimore's Pit Beef has made a name for itself as the best interpretation of BBQ in the region. The cuisine in Maryland is the best in the country! Not only will you find the world's best steamed crabs and crab cakes here, but we're also home to Old Bay, the tastiest and most versatile seasoning on Earth. What are the most popular foods in Maryland? Maybe these stereotypes about Marylanders have some teeth, after all. but surely, there's more to the Old Line state than crabs and flags? Right? Well, Marylanders are also known for being avid boaters, we're pretty quick to defend Natty Boh, and we'll put Old Bay on just about everything. Sure, we have more state-flag apparel than anyone in any other state. Maryland is a state with a lot of pride, but that doesn't mean all Marylanders are the same. What stereotypes are there about Maryland? Here’s a previous article with some more of the best crab restaurants in Maryland. Ships Cafe Restaurant and Crab House, Catonsville. ![]() Moe's Crabs & Seafood Carryout, Accokeek.Here are 10 of the best crab restaurants in Maryland: The best crab restaurants in Maryland serve some of the most mouthwatering crabs that you can find in the state. Aside from these all you can eat crab joints, what are the best crab restaurants in Maryland? ![]()
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