The study estimates that there are only 238 million of the crabs in the bay today, a collapse of 79 million, or nearly a quarter — but scientists say the population could still come back.

Blue crab abundance in the Chesapeake Bay this year was at its second-lowest level since winter dredge surveys began in 1990, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. But the department is holding strong on the current harvest regulations,

Maryland and Virginia have released the results of the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, showing decreased but stable populations of the crustaceans.