Life Sciences Commons^™

Blue Crab Shedding Plants, W. A. Van Engel, Dale Ludi

Reports

Cool weather and two northeast storms, in April and May, are believed by Rappahannock River crab fishermen and shedders to have caused a three to four week delay in crabs reaching the early peeler stages of development. Fishermen are still setting crab pound nets (=peeler traps, fykes). Fishermen recall that prior to 12-15 years ago the first "run" of peeler crabs occurred on the full moon of late April or early May. Recently the "runs" have been later, but never as late as this year.