Blue Crabs @ VIMS

The blue crab Callinectes sapidus has played a central role in the ecology, economy, and culture of Chesapeake Bay since the colonial era. Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) study all aspects of this species—including its ecology, physiology, and population dynamics—with an eye to conservation and a sustainable fishery.

Top Stories

• Once in a blue moon: crabber catches rare all-blue blue crab (July 2018) Jim McInteer and crewmate Alan Payne knew they had captured an oddity the moment they saw the all-blue blue crab in their York River crab pot.
• Scientific survey shows highest-ever level of spawning-age female crabs (April 2017) VIMS' 2017 winter dredge survey shows a 31% increase in adult female crabs and forecasts another year of improved harvests.
• Report: derelict crab pots have impacts throughout Bay (October 2016) Study shows that effort to remove derelict crab pots from Chesapeake Bay generated more than $33 million in harvest value for Maryland and Virginia crabbers.
• Scientific survey shows solid blue crab stock improvement (April 2016) VIMS' 2016 winter dredge survey shows another year of growth in the blue crab stock and forecasts an improved harvest in 2016.
• Removal of derelict fishing gear has major economic impact (January 2016) VIMS study shows that effort to remove derelict crab pots from Chesapeake Bay generated more than $20 million in harvest value for area watermen.

More stories...

Advisory Service Reports

Access the annual Blue Crab Advisory Report:
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |  2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008

Five Most Recent Journal Articles

1. Huchin-Mian, J.P., H.J. Small, and J.D. Shields, 2018. The influence of temperature and salinity on mortality of recently recruited blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, naturally infected with Hematodinium perezi (Dinoflagellata). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 152: p. 8-16. 10.1016/j.jip.2018.01.003
2. Huchin-Mian, J.P., H.J. Small, and J.D. Shields, 2017. Patterns in the natural transmission of the parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium perezi in American blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus from a highly endemic area. Marine Biology, 164(7). ARTN 153
   http://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3185-y
3. Glaspie, C.N., K. Longmire, and R.D. Seitz, 2017. Acidification alters predator-prey interactions of blue crab Callinectes sapidus and soft-shell clam Mya arenaria. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 489: p. 58-65. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2016.11.010
4. Corso, A.D., et al., 2017. Experiments with By-Catch Reduction Devices to Exclude Diamondback Terrapins and Retain Blue Crabs. Estuaries and Coasts, 40(5): p. 1516-1522. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-017-0223-4
5. Gaylor, M.O., E. Harvey, and R.C. Hale, 2015. Systematic Investigation of Factors Controlling Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) of Spiked and Aged PCBs from Edible Tissues of the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 94(1): p. 23-28. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-014-1380-9
6. Ralph, G.M. and R.N. Lipcius, 2014. Critical Habitats and Stock Assessment: Age-Specific Bias in the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Survey. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 143(4): p. 889-898. http://doi.org10.1080/00028487.2014.901247

Read a full list of VIMS-authored journal articles related to blue crabs.

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