The number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay has increased significantly over the past year, indicating that harvest limits designed to combat steep declines in the population appear to be working.

Results of the 2008-2009 winter dredge survey show that the number of female crabs in the bay doubled in the past year. Catch restrictions were aimed at preserving females so they could survive to produce the next generation.

Overall, the number of crabs in the bay increased from 280 million in 2007-2008 to more than 418 million in 2008-2009, officials estimate, a rapid and surprising rebound. The survey showed that the number of baby crabs held steady at 175 million.

To sustain the crab population, fisheries can safely harvest 46 percent of the total. Removing more than 53 percent can threaten the long-term survival of the population. In the past decade, the percentage of crabs harvested has been as high as in the 70 percent range. Last year, the figure was down to 50 percent.

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