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Smith Island Ferry Trip - Going Crabbing
Smith Island stands in the Chesapeake Bay 10 miles west of Crisfield, MD, and is accessible only by boat. Only about 220 hardy souls live there now with most earning a living crabbing, fishing, or serving the tourists who come by boat to explore this interesting locale. The island is famous for its Smith Island Cake — with 8 to 15 thin layers with chocolate frosting between. Sadly, the island is disappearing due to rising sea levels and erosion. Efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of these factors. Without these efforts, the island is projected to be completely eroded by 2100. Our trip to Smith Island begins at the docks in Crisfield, MD — the "Seafood Capital of the World". Historically, the economy was centered on harvesting and processing seafood — crabs, oysters, and fish. Overfishing and the decline in the health of the Chesapeake Bay have led to a decline in the seafood industry. Miss Betty is loaded down with crab traps. They look handmade. The crabber will put a piece of chicken parts inside the trap, the crabs will smell it and look for access. Unfortunately, for the crabs, once inside, it is devilishly hard to exit. For the crabbers, it's time to go crabbing.
Size: 4288px × 2848px
Location: Smith Island, MD, USA
Photo credit: © B. David Cathell / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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