Crabs 101: Are Crabs in Season?
The most common question we receive is “Are crabs in season?”
While there once was a season for the blue crab, that no longer can be said to be true. The open season for crabbers in Maryland still runs from approximately the first week of April through the middle of December.
Throughout the year, we receive crab shipments from Texas and Louisiana, which allows us to supplement our supply during the Maryland season, and continue serving crabs during the winter months.
The next most common question is “When are crabs at their best?”
Crabs go through a natural cycle in which they "slough" or shed their shell in order to grow. Crabs are generally fullest right before these periods occur.
Seasonally, crabs are at their best AFTER Labor Day, that’s right after Labor Day up until Thanksgiving! Maryland crabs are preparing to go through the winter and are "fattening up." People mistakenly think the season is over, which means less demand on the product and generally bigger crabs.
Unfortunately, the sanctuaries in which blue crabs thrive are in constant danger. Bo Brooks actively supports efforts to preserve these sanctuaries and reduce the demand upon this limited resource.
Most recently, Bo Brooks testified in support of historic legislation within the state of Maryland to revamp all sewage treatment plants and reduce the dissolved nitrogen concentration within the Chesapeake Bay.
Bo Brooks supports efforts to raise the minimum size on crab catches in an
effort to let the species began to repopulate
For more information, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website.
