Timing and route of migration of mature female blue crabs in a large, <scp>wind‐driven</scp> estuary

Objective Quantify the timing of mature female blue crab Callinectes sapidus migration and routes they take in Croatan, Albemarle, Pamlico Estuarine System (CAPES) North Carolina, USA. Methods Mark–recapture data collected by commercial crabbers northeastern Carolina during 2008 2009 identified timing, rate, route movement for 1049 postcopulatory crabs out 8400 tagged (17.5% recapture). Result Mature consistently moved from their original, up-estuary release sites towards Oregon Inlet spawning sanctuary early summer. Although averaged 2 km/d covered distances excess 50 km tagging season, no recaptures were reported inside or within 10 inlet sanctuaries connecting CAPES to Atlantic Ocean. The vast majority concentrated area where Currituck, Croatan sounds merge, which is likely due a combination high fishing effort narrowing waterways that concentrate females as migrate south sanctuaries. Conclusion concentration this region suggests extending no-take, boundaries into these waters may protect grounds.