The Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population has dropped to 238 million, the second lowest total since surveys began in 1990. That’s down from 317 million last year, according to new data from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland DNR. Adult male and female crabs saw sharp declines, along with juveniles—marking a sixth straight year of below-average recruitment. Officials blame cold snaps, habitat loss, invasive species and pollution. Conservation groups are urging tighter harvest limits and more federal funding to protect the species.