Earleville Crabber Cited for 11 Bushels Over Limit

Kent County, MD - On August 18, 2026, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were on routine patrol of the Sassafras River. They spotted a commercial vessel actively harvesting crabs.

Officers moved in to conduct a commercial fisheries inspection. As they got closer, they saw people on board dumping bushels of crabs into the water.

The inspection turned up 15 bushels of crabs still on the boat. Officers say another four bushels had already been thrown overboard before they could be counted.

That brings the total catch to 19 bushels. The boat's operator, a 22-year-old man from Earleville, held a license allowing for eight bushels a day.

That put the crew 11 bushels over their daily limit. The operator was issued a citation for exceeding the commercial catch limit.

A first offense carries a fine of up to $1,000. The citation was issued following the inspection on the Sassafras River.