[BlueChip]

Special Notice – The Search for Megalops Newsletter
Notice to Megalops – Crabs Concentrating in Lower Rivers – Megalops Survey Cancelled



Several reports the past few days have indicated large increase of blue crabs in lower searches of rivers. This could be the beginning of a fall movement from the estuaries. However new reports indicated increased abundance in the west including a report that crabs have been observed entering the Saugatuck River. Reports from Darien, Milford, Westbrook, Westport and Branford indicate both smaller sub legal crabs 3 to 4 inches are also increasing in numbers. Blue Crabs have reappeared along our shoreline here in New Haven according to Ceondice Johnson.

The saline deep pockets continue to hold the densest amount of crabs and they tend to be big – many over 6 inches. Some really large crabs have been caught from boats handlining this season.

Megalops Survey Cancelled

The Megalops survey has been cancelled for this year but I do appreciate the offer from many crabbers to help. Time has run out for any May or June sets, and then a transport or drift set and a possible native overwintering sponge set as well. It is though that cooler temperatures have delayed Megalops sets late into the season, as apparently as did in Connecticut (Megalops Report #6 – October 24, 2013 and Program Report #10 on October 2, 2013) we may still see a set so any reports are important, it is thought that late fall sets don’t survive cold winters here.

We had two cold winters in a row so attention along the entire Atlantic Seaboard is now focused upon the upcoming winter. I will be sending out a NAO forecast in a few weeks with a habitat assessment.

Back to School

I want to thank all the crabbers who sent in reports this summer including many from New York and the Chesapeake Bay area. School has started for us but we plan to issue at least two additional program reports before November.
Thanks also for the Blue Crab Info Forum ™ and CT Fish Talk™ and the Blue Crab Blog™ for posting our Blue Crab Newsletters

Enjoy the fall crabbing
Tim