Top Blue Crab Fishing Countries

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), renowned for its sweet, tender meat, is a crustacean native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It thrives in estuarine and coastal waters, making it a vital resource for both commercial and recreational fisheries. The United States is the leading harvester of blue crabs, with the Chesapeake Bay region in Maryland and Virginia accounting for the majority of the catch. Other significant blue crab fishing countries include Mexico, which has robust fisheries along its Gulf coast, and Brazil, where blue crabs are harvested in coastal lagoons and estuaries. Smaller but notable blue crab industries also exist in countries like Venezuela and Cuba. The blue crab fishing industry is economically important, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing to the culinary traditions of these regions, though it also faces challenges from overfishing, habitat loss, and environmental changes.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.