By: Rebecca Borowski

Crabs are fast moving Arthropoda who have skeletons outside their bodies, have three main body segments, and have three or more pairs of joined legs. They are also considered decapod Crustacea because they have hard shells and ten legs. Crabs are fast moving Arthropoda who have skeletons outside their bodies, have three main body segments, and have three or more pairs of joined legs. They are also considered decapod Crustacea because they have hard shells and ten legs. Life Cycle of Crabs Life Cycle of Crabs - During the first stage, the crab is called a zoea. The zoea is very small and looks more like a shrimp than a crab. The zoea starts to grow (molt). - When the crab is ready for its second stage of growing it is called megalops. It means that it has enlarged eyes. - During the final stage, the crab are fully grown. The megalops on the crab molt into a mature crab. The chitin gets formed in this stage. Crab shells are made out of chitin (also called a carapace). There are 4,500 types of crabs that live in the ocean or on land (near water) There are 4,500 types of crabs that live in the ocean or on land (near water) Some crabs place a sea anemone (one that has stinging tentacles) on their shells to protect themselves from harm Some crabs place a sea anemone (one that has stinging tentacles) on their shells to protect themselves from harm Crab are not picky eaters. They prefer shellfish, but will also eat seaweed and algae Crab are not picky eaters. They prefer shellfish, but will also eat seaweed and algae

The name “Blue Crab” comes from Greek origin meaning “savory beautiful swimmer” The name “Blue Crab” comes from Greek origin meaning “savory beautiful swimmer” Blue crabs can be found in areas throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, including areas such as Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas Blue crabs can be found in areas throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, including areas such as Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas The blue crab can be recognized by the nine long teeth behind both eyes and the sapphire color on the tips of their pinchers. The blue crab can be recognized by the nine long teeth behind both eyes and the sapphire color on the tips of their pinchers. Some adult male crabs can grow up to be 9 inches long, can weigh 2 pounds, and live approximately 3 years Some adult male crabs can grow up to be 9 inches long, can weigh 2 pounds, and live approximately 3 years Female Blue Crabs only mate once in their lifetime Female Blue Crabs only mate once in their lifetime Mature blue crabs will almost anything, even eat other blue crabs that are smaller or still soft from molting Mature blue crabs will almost anything, even eat other blue crabs that are smaller or still soft from molting

The commercial crab fishing industry here in Maryland began way back in 1950 The commercial crab fishing industry here in Maryland began way back in 1950 The Maryland Blue Crab industry was valued at about $32.7 million in 2005, down from $100 million in 1993 The Maryland Blue Crab industry was valued at about $32.7 million in 2005, down from $100 million in 1993 In 2009, there were 6000 licensed commercial crabbers in Maryland In 2009, there were 6000 licensed commercial crabbers in Maryland Crab or crabmeat is available year-round and can be bought live, raw, frozen, cooked, or canned Crab or crabmeat is available year-round and can be bought live, raw, frozen, cooked, or canned Commercial crab harvesters typically uses crab pots as the preferred method of catching crabs Commercial crab harvesters typically uses crab pots as the preferred method of catching crabs Commercial Crab Harvesting Calendar: Commercial Crab Harvesting Calendar: - Winter: West Coast Dungeness and Florida Stone Crabs in high season - Spring: Blue Crabs are in season until fall, First soft shell Blue Crabs in April - Summer: Blue Crabs (hard and soft), Dungeness action swim north, Jonah and Rock Crabs available in this season. Red King Crab from northwestern Alaska in early summer; Aleutian Golden King Crabs in July – August. - Fall: Stone Crabs come out during mid-October, Bristol Bay Red King Crabs available during mid-November, Central California Dungeness opens in early November, the rest of the West Coast crabs will start on December 1.

Water pollution and overfishing have decreased the blue crab population: Water pollution and overfishing have decreased the blue crab population: - Pesticides, heavy metals, and petroleum products has been cited as affecting the larva of the crabs, therefore crab populations have been decreasing - Due to water extreme pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, algae died and sank to the bottom….bacteria formed, which then ate away the oxygen - Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment, and runoff waste coming from energy plants, farms and development of residential projects have been major pollutants to the Chesapeake Bay - Commercial crabbing, which had gone for years unchecked, seriously depleted the crab population in Maryland

The damage of crab habitats led to more strict rules for crabbing The damage of crab habitats led to more strict rules for crabbing Fishermen are required to keep a current saltwater fishing license with them to fish for crabs at all times. Fishermen are required to keep a current saltwater fishing license with them to fish for crabs at all times. Many states allow recreational crab fishing all year but may limit the use of crab pots to a specific season. Many states allow recreational crab fishing all year but may limit the use of crab pots to a specific season. To maintain the survival of the crab populations, fishermen are not permitted to keep crabs under a certain size. To maintain the survival of the crab populations, fishermen are not permitted to keep crabs under a certain size. In 2009, the DNR of Maryland issued new crabbing regulations: In 2009, the DNR of Maryland issued new crabbing regulations: - To achieve target crabbing level of 46% - To protect mature female crabs in order to accelerate and rebuild crab stock - Resulting in daily bushel limits and periods of “closure” for female crabs In addition to regulating crabbing, the federal government and several states are regulating the environment with the Clean Water Act and several Bay programs In addition to regulating crabbing, the federal government and several states are regulating the environment with the Clean Water Act and several Bay programs As a result of the federal government, state governments, crabbers, and the public teaming up, bays and waterways have been nursed back to a healthier state and the crab population has increased to the second highest level since As a result of the federal government, state governments, crabbers, and the public teaming up, bays and waterways have been nursed back to a healthier state and the crab population has increased to the second highest level since 1977.

Scholastic Encyclopedia by Scholastic Inc. Scholastic Encyclopedia by Scholastic Inc. The Golden Treasury of Knowledge: Volume 14 by Golden Press The Golden Treasury of Knowledge: Volume 14 by Golden Press About Crustaceans by Cathryn Sill About Crustaceans by Cathryn Sill