Aquaculture America 2023

February 23 - 26, 2023

New Orleans, Louisiana USA

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS ASSESSMENT OF THE BLUE CRABS Callinectes sapidus LOOKING AT RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CARAPACE DIMENSIONS AND SEX ORIENTATION IN DELAWARE INLAND BAYS

Juan Ramos*, Tahera Attarwala, Kevin Knight, Zachary Riggi, Cassandra Miller, Marcus Teat, Emily Andrade, Ali Paraseimehr, Ph D., and Gulnihal Ozbay, Ph.D.

 

Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901 USA. Jramos20@students.desu.edu

 



Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) fisheries is a multi-million-dollar industry that is extremely important to the Mid-Atlantic States.  C. sapidus is an important keystone species to the aquatic ecosystem of Delaware Inland Bays. In aquatic ecosystems, C. sapidus serves both as predator and prey. The objective of this study focuses on the population characteristics of C. sapidus and its relationships with its surroundings, such as artificial pilot reefs or oyster aquaculture activities, and its roles in biodiversity preservation. The primary research area is selected in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, where most oyster aquaculture and oyster restoration activities are taking place. We have deployed 18 crab traps within 6 study sites (2 aquaculture, 2 artificial reefs, and 2 controlled sites) since June 2022. Additionally, water samples were collected to process water quality parameters. We deployed the crab traps every two weeks and kept the traps in the water for no longer than 24-36 hours. Each site receives 2 commercial-size cages and 1 half-moon recreational-size pot. Each commercial cage is baited with 2 Menhaden (Brevoortia Tyrannus), while the recreational pots get 1 Menhaden. Water quality has been monitored at the sites every week using YSI Multiprobe 5600, and water samples have been tested for Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Alkalinity, and Total Hardness, while Total Chlorophyll-a and Turbidity have been monitored using Turner Design Fluorometer. Per harvest, totals range from 140-230 individuals, and the blue crabs were captured and released. All of the crabs were captured from June 15th until October 31st. The overall result is promising and shows a relationship for increased blue crab activities that varies by habitats such as aquaculture, artificial reefs, or controlled (natural) in Rehoboth Bay, Delaware.