§ 2301. Minimum size.
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/de/title-7/chapter-23-blue-crabs-callinectes-sapidus/2301·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It shall be unlawful for any person to take from any waters within the jurisdiction of the State or have in his or her possession at any time any hard-shell blue crab measuring less than 5 inches from tip to tip, nor any soft-shell blue crab measuring less than 3 1 / 2 inches from tip to tip, nor any peeler blue crab measuring less than 3 inches from tip to tip. The minimum size of hard-shell blue crabs shall not apply to mature female blue crabs that are identified by having a rounded or u-shaped apron.
The apron is the abdomen which is the rear portion of the blue crab that is folded underneath the body. Any commercial measure of blue crabs shall not contain more than 5% crabs that are less than the respective minimum size.