ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds commercial crabbers who harvest any hard blue crabs (male or female) in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries that the 2022 commercial hard crab season is closed beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022.

This action to cut the season two weeks short was decided this past summer to ensure the female and male blue crab harvest does not exceed the Chesapeake Bay exploitation fraction thresholds established in Amendment 2 to the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan.

The concern was raised following the winter dredge survey which showed a low number of blue crabs in the bay. It also included bushel limits on male crabs caught from Aug.1 through Sept. 30 based on licensure.

For more information on the season closure, refer to the online public notices:

Commercial Mature Female Hard Crab Catch Limits — July through December 2022 and

Commercial Male Hard Crab Catch Limits and Season — July through December 2022.