Twins Laura, center left, and Katie Coldin, 5, of Mechanicsville, Va., smile as they get their baseballs autographed by Blue Crabs pitchers Michael Ballard (48) left, and Charlie Manning (6 ...

What crawfish is to Louisiana, and lobster is to Maine, blue crab is to Maryland. The crustacean is synonymous with the Chesapeake Bay, and is revered for its delicate and distinct flavor.

In 2023, nearly 70,000 crabbing licenses and crab pot registrations were issued by Maryland DNR, underscoring the significance of the blue crab to the state’s culture and economy.