• Local Produce
  • Buy Local
  • Local Seafood
  • Local Food
  • Local Music
  • Local Art
  • Local Churches

CAPE CHARLES MIRROR

Reflections on Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore

  • Local Services
  • Local Rentals
  • Local Employment
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Pets
  • Contact Us
  • Rant and Rave
  • Asses&Villains

Low Sperm Amounts Hurting Blue Crab Population

July 10, 2022 by 2 Comments

Since 2019, the overall crab population in the bay has declined by 60 percent.

In mid-May, the two state agencies conducting the survey — the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science — made an announcement that just 227 million crabs were counted, the lowest number since the survey began in 1990.

The survey found a drop in the number of female crabs from 158 million in 2021 to 97 million this year. A three-year continuation of a below-average number of juvenile crabs, estimated at 101 million, was also noted.

Under the new restrictions, the females’ harvest will remain limited to between nine and 17 bushels in July and August and 17 and 32 bushels in September and October.

Each female (sook) mates only one time but is capable of producing 3 million eggs in one brood, with up to three broods per year, typically in mid to late summer. While the sook sheds her shell, matures, and hardens a new shell, the male protects her. In doing so, she builds up a supply of sperm that will last a lifetime.

Here’s the big issue–two studies indicate a lack of sperm in the crab population.

The male population is in decline, which means there are more females, so the few males left have to mate more frequently, every few days.

It takes male crabs about a week to rebuild their seed stores. When they mate earlier, they don’t provide the females with as much sperm as they normally would. A supply that should last for years may only last for one season. Not getting enough sperm could cause a 5 to 10 percent drop in the number of fertilized eggs.

Low sperm counts may not be the only problem facing the blue crab. Poor water quality with low oxygen dead zones. Loss of underwater grass beds, and predation by invasive species such as blue catfish.

Filed Under: Animal Activism, Bottom, Environment, Environmental Activism, News

Comments

  1. Stuart Bell says

    July 16, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    Eat More Chicken!

    Reply
  2. Cape Charles Pirate says

    July 17, 2022 at 10:36 pm

    Nobod th addresses the root of the problem.
    Money…….

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Join the Conversation!

Send letters, opinion, goings on or photos to capecharlesmirror@gmail.com

Mirrors

Recent Comments

  • Chad on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Paul Plante on Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Stuart Bell on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • Paul Plante on Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Paul Plante on Call it Stagflation or Recession, but we are hurting
  • CCBabe on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • Chad on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Aug 7, 2020
  • Paul Plante on Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • Paul Plante on Video: Water Spout hits Smith Island
  • Stuart Bell on Video: Water Spout hits Smith Island
  • Doug Luther on Rep. Luria and USDA Announce Nearly $1 Million Investment on Eastern Shore
  • Tom on Surfer Rules: August 2022
  • Madam X on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Paul Plante on Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition
  • CCBabe on Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate

Trending Now

  • List Of Clinton Associates Who Allegedly Died Mysteriously Or Committed Suicide Before Testimony
  • Cape Charles Police Officers Graduate
  • Surfer Rules: August 2022
  • Video: Water Spout hits Smith Island
  • Historic District Review Board will hold its Regular Meeting on 8/16/2022
  • Op-Ed: Madness and Insanity in a Time of Joe Biden
  • Apply for Opening on Planning Commission
  • Time to Dance, Stretch and Move with Mara
  • Op-Ed: Compare George Orwell's 1984 to Society Today
  • Asses&Villains: Roe vs. Wade Edition

Copyright © 2022 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in