The water of the Chesapeake Bay is the home of one of Maryland's most economically important animals: Callinectes sapidus. This unique creature, commonly known as the blue crab, enjoys the warm, shallow waters of the Bay which provide the perfect environment for all stages of its life (Wesche 2002). The mix of fresh and salt water is optimal for life and for submerged aquatic vegetation located in the estuary supplies a safe haven for developing crabs (Wesche 2002). The overall richness of the environment contributes in creating the idea habitat. The blue crab is a vital part of the ecosystem as well as the culture in Maryland, which is known for its crabbing industry. Chesapeake blue crabs are understood to be some of the most delicious in the world. Each year tourists come to this region just to taste the fresh meat (Greer 2002). .
Wesche (2002) summarizes the background of the blue crab. Early settlers documented the utilization of the blue crab by the native people of the Chesapeake Bay. The tasty meat was a staple in their diets, and the colonist soon shared the same craving. Use by individuals became the norm; however commercial marketing of this resource was sluggish due to the inability to ship the crabs to non-coastal communities without spoiling. The first big break occurred with the invention of refrigeration. As the crabbing industry began expanding, it became necessary to implement management techniques for harvesting, including regulations. For over a century these "rules of the trade- have evolved. New restrictions have been created each time the need for better management arises. Recently, a drop in the crab population and yield has led to new regulations on commercial crabbing greatly affecting the industry.
This paper will focus on the controversial implementation of Maryland's most recent crabbing regulations. This will identify the reasons for the managerial actions, as well as the impact they have on the Bay and its crabbing industry.
