Good news on crabs. Numbers in the winter dredge surveys show a rise of 27 percent in population. Even better news: I’ll have to increase my consumption of the tasty critters by 27 percent to do my part to maintain balance.

The bad news: fewer sooks (females) are around to grow the numbers even more.

Good news on bluefish: While the big blues remain over offshore wrecks, the smaller tailor blues inshore are getting bigger, with five- and six-pound fish in Rudee Inlet and the Atlantic surf. They’re fun to fight on spinning tackle and as big as you’d like to eat.

Good news on the Chesapeake Bay: Water quality is better, a “C.” Maybe it’s all those oysters. Bay grasses are doing slightly better, but below hopes and expectations.

The bad news: The Bay still has dead zones and several fish stocks are in trouble. An unknown: How is climate change (don’t you dare think “global warming”) going to affect local species? Apparently about 10 species are being studied. Stay tuned.

Bad news on stripers: Numbers are down, and the big boys are remaining outside of the three-mile limit. The good news: Striper reproduction is at 11.0, which is about average in the recent comeback.

Bad news for local recreational fishermen: The cold winter has delayed all species by nearly a month. The good news: Croaker have arrived in the James River, and catfish are still here, though their numbers are decreasing. Flounder catches are increasing, and drum are in the Outer Banks surf.

The good news: God created oysters — lots of them. The 2014 harvest was up 25 percent, to 500,000 bushels. That’s the best since 1987. Even better news: I was able to eat my fair share. There is no bad news when it comes to oysters.

Bad news on the weather: Hurricane season will soon be upon us. The good news: A mild year is forecast.

Here’s a little ditty about hurricanes from my childhood in the Bahamas:

June — too soon.

July — will try.

August — a must.

September — remember.

October — all over.

Take that, Colorado State University! That’s meaningful doggerel.

The good news about today: The sun is warm, the beer is cold, the fish are biting and it’ll get better and better every day. The bad news: We’re not still 22 years old. Still, one’s appreciation of the finer things in life grows with age.

Good news … bad news. Good news … bad news. Good news … bad news.

Bradford “Biff” Andrews is a retired teacher and master naturalist who enjoys exploring the woods, swamps, rivers and beaches throughout the region. Email him at b.andrews22@live.com.