The blue crab is a crustacean that is found in the Hudson River that is of ecological, recreational, and commercial importance. They have five pairs of legs, the first pair are modified as claws for eating and defense, while the last pair of legs are modified for use as swimming paddles. Blue crabs are omnivores, eating things such as mollusks, live or dead fish, and aquatic plants. This makes them a fun and fairly easy species to catch and they are very popular to eat. The Latin name of the blue crab is Callinectes sapidus, which means "beautiful savory swimmer" and is very fitting with regards to their impressive swimming skills coupled with their culinary popularity.
Current Fishery
- Recreational Saltwater Crabbing Regulations
- Summary of Commercial Blue Crab Regulations
- Official Commercial Crabbing Regulations
Management
Unlike striped bass, river herring, American shad, and Atlantic sturgeon that are cooperatively managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the NYSDEC is solely responsible for the management blue crabs throughout the Hudson River and the Marine District of New York.
Long-term Monitoring Program
In 2004, the DEC began a tagging study to gain information on the seasonal movements of the blue crab spawning population. Each year, blue crabs are collected using baited crab pots and length, sex, and maturity stage are recorded for each crab and annual catch rates are calculated. Before releasing each crab to the river, a yellow tag is secured across the back of the crab. The tag legend has the tag number, DEC research, and a phone number (845) 256-3009. If you catch a tagged crab, please call the phone number to report the catch information or visit the Guide to Tagged Fishes and Blue Crab of the Hudson River Fish for more information. This recapture data is recorded from call-ins from recreational and commercial crabbers along the Hudson River and marine waters. We are also looking to estimate fishing and natural mortality with our current data. If you happen to capture a tagged crab while in the Marine & Coastal District, please visit the Blue Crab Tagging Program webpage or call (631) 444-0429. to report it.
Foreign Invader
Please be on the lookout for the Chinese mitten crab. The Chinese mitten crab, a non-native species from East Asia, is a costly and environmentally damaging invader in Europe and San Francisco Bay. One was caught in June 2007 in the Hudson River (Tappan Zee region 27 miles upstream from the mouth). This is among the first caught in the eastern United States coastal waters. A few others have been caught in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay and the Hudson. If you see or catch one of these crabs, see our instructions and contact information for reporting it.
Consumption Advisory
Please visit the Department of Health's website for a blue crab cooking and eating guide and a blue crab consumption advisory from the Hudson and other waters of New York.