Slow start to Maryland’s crabbing season

It's that time of the year again, crabbing season is officially here, but that doesn't mean it's perfect weather for local watermen just yet.

It's essentially an empty bay, not the scene you would expect in Crisfield opening week of Maryland's crab season.

Instead of watermen out at sea in hopes of filling up crab pots, it's quite the opposite.

One local resident, Randy Laird, says, "It's been quite rough on us there's been not much happening. I don't think a lot of crabbers have started back yet because of the weather."

It's a slow start for this crab season, all thanks to mother nature.

"We would definitely like to see a lot more spring weather, I mean this is looking a lot like winter weather. I mean the crabs aren't going to come out and get in the pots and what not if it's not warm."

One local waterman telling 47 ABC, "The crabs move around in 50 anything 50, 51 degreees the crabs will move. You can catch what's around the crab pot, but when you pick them up they're not moving so it's definitely real cold."
 
Local watermen telling us the frozen water also hurt this season since it killed off many of the big crabs.

So until warmer temperatures come, these watermen have to go elsewhere.

"Most of them are crabbing on the seaside down by Snow Hill where it warms up a little more because it's shallow water."

But if these winter like temperatures continue, this late start could even affect the consumer price of crabs, so the watermen are hoping these rough and cold waters will soon pass.

"They're hoping the end of the month if the weather changes straightens up maybe. All you can do is hope and pray for the best."

Local watermen say this is completely different than last year's season, adding many were filling crab pots to the brim at this time already.

If the weather doesn't change soon, some predict they won't be able to actually start crabbing until May.