ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released updated daily recreational catch and possession limits for hard crabs that will affect boaters starting at 12:01 a.m. on July 1.
These limits are for male hard crabs in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries for July 2026 through June 2027. DNR regularly releases public notices online to keep commercial and recreational boaters up to date on limits and recommends checking them frequently.
The new limits for male hard crabs are:
According to the notice, the limits are meant to keep the crab levels stable. These numbers are selected based on the Chesapeake Bay male conservation trigger in Amendment 2 to the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan, as well as the winter dredge survey results.
For now, these limits will be in place through next June. New limits will be determined once the results from the 2027 winter dredge survey are available.
These limits do not apply to shore fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries or in the Atlantic Ocean. Residents can learn more about Maryland blue crab fishing regulations and licensing requirements online.
Blue crabs are a vital part of the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and the state of Maryland’s economy. Harvesting of blue crabs is the No. 1 cause of loss of blue crabs in the Chesapeake, but the crabs also face predators and environmental changes that challenge their longevity. Boaters can help support the population by following the limits set by DNR.
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I totally agree there needs to be limits on crabs, however there should be controls on commercial crabbers as well. The true facts are the commercial crabbers are over crabbing and have an approximate 20 percent loss because crabs aren’t sold between catches. I see bushels of crabs dumped at the landfill daily in Calvert County and saint Mary’s county landfills. This is wrong and greedy behavior with no respect for limited population of crabs.