ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- An annual survey of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay is due out Tuesday and the numbers are expected to show the population is dangerously low.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine will announce the survey results in Colonial Beach at 3:00 p.m.

Scientists say the Chesapeake's crab population has been low for a decade and is in danger of going into serious decline if the two states don't ratchet back their harvests.

Maryland officials have met with crabbers and seafood processors before today's announcement. The state has said it may cut this year's female crab harvest up to 40 percent to build up the crab population. Virginia is expected to join with similar cuts.

Maryland crabbers say they don't like the proposed limits and would prefer a tiered bushel limit system that will allow big crabbers to catch more crabs. They also propose Maryland's first-ever crab sanctuary along the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.

State regulators say they will consider the suggestions, especially the tiered bushel limits.

A final decision on how the states plan to protect adult females could come in a few weeks. Tuesday, the governors could shed more light on how the two states hope to mitigate economic harm to crabbers as they try to restrict the catch.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)