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MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

SEAFOOD

PRODUCTION


[photo, Red and yellow crab pots (traps), Chesapeake Beach, Maryland] A prominent producer and processor of seafood, Maryland is a national leader in supplying blue crabs and soft clams. The Chesapeake Bay provides 50 percent of the total blue crab harvest in the United States. Each year, the Maryland seafood industry contributes some $400 million to the State's economy. Annual commercial landings have averaged 38.7 million pounds since 2000. Important commercial species, besides blue crabs, include striped bass, oysters, soft clams, flounder, perch, spot, croaker, catfish, sea trout, and bluefish.

Red & yellow crab pots (traps), Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, December 2002. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


[photo, Yellow crab pots (traps), Chesapeake Beach, Maryland]

Aquaculture Development and Seafood Marketing within the Department of Agriculture promotes increased distribution and consumption of Maryland seafood.

Yellow crab pots (traps), Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, December 2002. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.


COMMERCIAL LANDINGS

2001

2002

Crabs* 24,549,196 lbs. 25,011,003 lbs.
Finfish 14,191,330 lbs. 13,560,854 lbs.
Oysters 1,273,234 lbs. 566,960 lbs.
Soft Clams 61,647 lbs. 215,448 lbs.
Total 40,075,407 lbs. 39,354,265 lbs.

DOCKSIDE VALUE

2001

2002

Crabs* $33,633,488 $29,465,616
Finfish $7,480,709 $7,071,654
Oysters $3,785,704 $2,172,324
Soft Clams $344,000 $884,644
Total $45,243,901 $39,594,238



COMMERCIAL LANDINGS

1997

1998

1999

2000

Crabs* 41,306,361 lbs. 26,218,865 lbs. 32,124,202 lbs. 21,661,198 lbs.
Finfish 14,970,099 lbs. 15,671,683 lbs. 15,790,185 lbs. 12,550,847 lbs.
Oysters 1,507,850 lbs. 2,452,291 lbs. 2,464,032 lbs. 2,365,160 lbs.
Soft Clams 252,231 lbs. 227,936 lbs. 147,930 lbs. 169,280 lbs.
Total 58,036,541 lbs. 44,570,775 lbs. 50,526,349 lbs. 36,746,485 lbs.

DOCKSIDE VALUE

1997

1998

1999

2000

Crabs* $37,860,607 $30,628,487 $34,519,954 $30,088,219
Finfish $7,964,519 $8,558,511 $9,154,378 $7,457,195
Oysters $4,709,785 $7,599,078 $6,952,100 $7,154,260
Soft Clams $1,680,477 $1,532,017 $1,010,636 $1,378,284
Total $52,215,388 $48,318,093 $51,637,068 $46,077,958

*Includes soft shell crabs
Source: Fisheries Service, Department of Natural Resources.


Chesapeake Bay
Maryland Aquaculture
Maryland State Crustacean
Maryland State Fish
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
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Maryland at a Glance


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