EARLEVILLE, Md. — A commercial crabber on the Sassafras River was cited after officers found his crew 11 bushels over the daily limit, apparently forcing the boat to activate Maryland’s least sophisticated evidence-disposal protocol:

throw the crabs back in the water while the cops are looking directly at you.

Authorities said officers saw bushels being dumped overboard as they approached. The inspection ultimately accounted for 19 bushels against an eight-bushel daily limit.

The Canton Cat respects ambition.

But eleven bushels over?

That is no longer “good day crabbing.”

That is Operation Blue Claw.

Witnesses reported scenes of chaos aboard the vessel as crew members allegedly began launching bushels into the Sassafras like they were evacuating classified documents from an embassy.

“GO! GO! GO!”

“THEY’RE COMING!”

“RELEASE THE CRABS!”

Hundreds of blue crabs reportedly hit the water confused, traumatized, and suddenly enrolled in Maryland’s aquatic witness-protection program.

One crab was heard yelling:

“I’VE SEEN TOO MUCH!”

Another immediately changed its name to Gary and moved to Delaware.

The captain’s mistake was not merely exceeding the limit.

It was apparently believing Natural Resources Police would see baskets flying overboard and conclude:

“Ah yes. Normal crab behavior.”

Investigators reportedly reconstructed the scene:

Eight legal bushels.

Eleven extra bushels.

Four already overboard.

And at least one crab making a break for Pennsylvania.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now considering mandatory warning labels on commercial vessels:

IF POLICE APPROACH, DO NOT YEET THE EVIDENCE.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has also reportedly launched a hotline for displaced shellfish.

Press 1 if you were harvested legally.

Press 2 if you were dumped during a panic.

Press 3 if you are currently hiding under a pier using the name Mr. Pinchy.

The Canton Cat attempted to interview several returned crabs.

They refused.

Smart.

Snitches get Old Bay.