Md. Crab Season Off To Slow Start, Watermen Say

EASTON, Md. (AP) -- Maryland watermen say the crabbing season is off to a slow start.

Larry Simns, president of the Maryland Watermen's Association, says there are a lot of smaller crabs out there but not many big ones. Talbot County Watermen's Association head Bunky Chance also says the season started slow.

Dorchester County waterman Scott Todd told The Star Democrat of Easton that he thinks last year's storms may be the reason.

The annual winter survey released earlier this year found blue crabs at record numbers, but also found a drop in adult females. Scientists said at the time that they were not sure if the number of adult females was actually down, or if they moved outside of survey areas because of an extremely wet fall and warm winter.

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