Blue crab caught in the Chesapeake Bay with trotlines is a "Best Choice." The population's abundance has generally been increasing in the U.S., and bycatch of other species is a low concern. Trotlines are set in sand and silt habitat, so impacts on the Chesapeake Bay’s bottom habitat are a low concern.

Blue crab caught in the U.S. with pots and Mexico's Gulf of Mexico with crab rings or scoopnets is a "Good Alternative." In the U.S., blue crab pot fisheries are the greatest threat to the diamondback terrapin, a near threatened species of turtle. While Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey have implemented measures to reduce diamondback terrapin bycatch, other states haven’t. Management of these fisheries is moderately effective, but measures are needed to reduce bycatch and ghost fishing. In Mexico's Gulf of Mexico, the status of blue crab is unknown. This fishery also catches sharptooth swimming crab, and its stock status is unknown too. Bycatch of other species is minimal, and management is rated moderately effective. Seafloor impacts are likely low, and researchers have found no evidence of ecosystem impacts.

Under the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program, companies must track their blue crab imports from the point of harvest to when they enter the U.S. This program aims to stop illegally caught or counterfeit seafood from entering the American market.