Today I will be talking about the Blue Crab! This is a very well known species that is found along the western Atlantic Ocean and throughout the Gulf of Mexico in brackish lagoon and estuary environments. They have also been found across the world in European and Asian waters. They are Marylands state crustacean and their largest commercial fishery. And this is how they are most known, as a lucrative economic food source in the fishing industry. But they can’t be harvested if there are none to harvest... hence the importance of fishing regulations! Parameters such as establishing specific catch limits for certain areas and not keeping pregnant or sexually mature female crabs are small, but important things that allow their populations to survive. In addition, ensuring the quality of the water they are living in is equally as important (a problem populations faced in Chesapeake Bay, the nations largest estuary)! Because as much as humans depend on them as a food source, they served an important role in the ocean first! Managing populations of snails and mussels that allow sea grass beds to flourish, which they use for nurseries. They are also detritivores since they live on the sandy bottoms and help in returning nutrients to the water. They are also food sources to stingrays, turtles, large birds and large fish like drum, bass, and trout. Last but not least, they are bioindicators of water quality!! 🦀
Fun Fact... their genders are easily distinguishable by looking at their underside called an “apron.” The females’ shape resembles that of the United States Capital building and the males’ shape resembles the Washington Monument. Their shells can grow to be 9 inches in width and on average they live to be 3-4 years. MORAL of this post is to understand that they can be eaten, but in moderation! Their populations must be well managed and not overfished in order to ensure there is an abundance to serve their natural roles and enough to reproduce for next year!
Originally posted on 19 May 2019
(crab holding ruler is my picture, others not)
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