![[photo, Red and yellow crab pots (traps), Chesapeake Beach, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/37mun/chesapeakeb/images/1198-1-312.jpg)
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]](/msa/mdmanual/37mun/chesapeakeb/images/1198-1-310.jpg)
Seafood Marketing and Aquaculture Development 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.
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