Crabbers this summer have found stone crabs near Cape Charles and Norfolk, VA — far north of their typical range. Researchers believe the crabs may now be able to survive winters in the lower Chesapeake Bay because of the region’s warming waters.
Virginia has colder, temperate waters compared to the subtropical coastal waters between North Carolina and Florida, where stone crabs are typically found. Ocean currents have been known to sweep stone crab larvae into the Chesapeake Bay, but they don’t typically survive the winter water that stays below 40 degrees for days a time.
But Rom Lipcius, professor at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, said temperatures are rising in the lower Bay. Also, stone crabs use oyster reefs as nursery habitat — and the Chesapeake Bay Program has restored about 1,800 acres of oyster reef to reach its restoration goal…