Bountiful Blue Crabs

Posted 4.18.16

The results of the 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey show the total population of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay climbed 35 percent to a total of 553 million. This is the fourth highest level in two decades, since 1996, and builds on last year’s 38 percent boost in abundance. “We now have back-to-back years of solid growth in this important fishery,’’ Commissioner John M.R. Bull said. “The crab stock has been on a roller coaster for most of the last decade. We’ve seen a few great years of reproduction followed by awful years of abundance. Two years does not make a trend, and this news inspires both wary optimism and cautious management.”

“This recent success in management seems to have built some resilience in the stock,’’ said Rom Lipcius of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. “We’re seeing a rebound in abundance and a buffer on unpredictable environmental disturbances that can cause severe declines in the stock.” Increased overall abundance means commercial crabbers can expect to see more crabs in their crab pots this year than last year and to more often catch their daily bushel limits. Some slight loosening of harvest limits may be warranted. Learn More.

$20+ Million benefit from Ghost Pot Removal in the Chesapeake Bay

New research conducted by VIMS scientists is featured in Scientific Reports from the publisher of Nature.

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Bringing Produce to Food Desserts

Creating better food access was the topic of an agricultural summit held in Richmond, Virginia in the Fall of 2015. Innovative urban agriculture opportunities like container and rooftop farming are discussed. Image: The Farmery, an all in one farm and grocery store in Durham, NC - Read Post.

Cultivating Carbon Away

10.5.15 - A very simple solution to skyrocketing carbon levels could be right beneath our feet in the land. As agricultural productivity is threatened by climate change, it turns out modern farming practices are contributing to the problem. Thanks to industrial farming methods, a lot of carbon has been displaced. By rebuilding soils through sustainable farming practices, carbon balance can be restored. The rise of the organic food business is already supporting this trend. With increased demand for organic produce and meat, there's a growing groundswell of support for sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture. One proponent of carbon farming is none other than Joel Salatin of Swoope, Virginia. Read more about regenerative agriculture at Polyface Farm.

Improved soil health is necessary to support ‪food security,‪ carbon sequestration and ‪‎climate equilibrium. A new Soil Health Institute is being established in Research Triangle Park, NC. The institute will work with farmers, researchers, policy-makers, industry, environmental groups and consumers to share information, collaborate on research, and develop public policy around soil health. More Info.

New Sources of Seafood Cropping Up: Aquaculture Ventures from the Mountains to Offshore

To alleviate harvest pressure on wild stocks and reduce pollution and contamination resulting from intensive coastal farm operations, sustainable aquaculture enterprises are emerging in some surprising places. From the mountains to the open ocean, ventures like a land based sea bass farm on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a salmon farm in West Virginia and a Siberian sturgeon/caviar operation in the Blue Ridge mountains are explored. Read the Feature Story.

Fighting Fishy Activity in the Seafood Industry

2.2.15 - With Asian crab meat marketed as American, seafood fraud is an issue that hits close to home. Product traceability not only ensures quality and protects the interests of US fishermen, it prevents pirate activity and overfishing. In addition to dredging up complex global fishery concerns, many innovative solutions are explored. Read the Feature Story.

Monterey Bay Seafood Watch App

Updated app available for download

Whether you're at the seafood counter or the sushi bar, this app can help you make an informed decision about your meal. It can also help you locate businesses where others have found sustainable seafood. Free, up-to-date seafood recommendations searchable by common market names and access to in-depth conservation notes and reports are at your fingertips.

Global Fishing Watch is an online platform to track the activity of fishing vessels

SkyTruth, a watchdog organization, is keeping an eye on the oceans from their mountain based headquarters in West Virginia. With little oversight on the seas, illegal fishing is unfortunately rampant. By watching fishing patterns observable from satellite data, suspicious activity is monitored and reported. Read more about watching the Sea from the Stars in The Stars Come Out for the Ocean.