Maryland and Chesapeake Bay may now best be known for its iconic crustaceans, Callinectes sapidus, or more simply, the blue crab but that has not always been the case.

    Chesapeake Bay is a Native American term meaning “great shellfish growing water” and although the landscape has changed since colonial times when the local Indian tribes and then the first settlers made their homes along the banks of this vast estuary, the Bay is still home to many species of fish, shellfish and the iconic blue crab that is enjoyed by people around the world.

    Maryland is proud of the culture and traditions that have derived from this Bay and the delicious seafood that comes from it as well.

True Blue Logo

Maryland Blue Crab season is here. Make sure when you are dining out to visit restaurants proudly displaying the "True Blue" logo. This will ensure that you are eating Maryland crab meat!
    Meet Waterman Rocky Rice
    Lifelong Waterman and farmer, Billy started working on the water when he was just 12 years old. Billy, from Charles County, works the Potomac River and the Maryland Tributaries of the Potomac. He is a 3rd generation watermen, crab potting, eeling, and gill netting for Striped Bass. Learn more...

April 1, 2013:
    Farm-raised Chesapeake Oysters
    Making a Splash at Area’s Top Restaurants
March 13, 2013:
    Baltimore Crab Houses Haven't Any Crabs
December 22, 2012:
    Crab sales get a boost from 'True Blue'
November 1, 2012:
    Baltimore Chef Wins National Oyster Cook-Off
September 26, 2012:
    From the Bay, For the Bay Dine Out
    is Back! October 6-13
August 29, 2012:
    DNR Holds True Blue Contest for
    Mermaid's Kiss Oysterfest Passes

For questions or comments contact Steve Vilnit - Fisheries Marketing Director @ svilnit@dnr.state.md.us 410-260-2406
MD DNR Fisheries Service 580 Taylor Avenue Floor B-2 Annapolis, MD 21401