To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care when removing crab claws, and follow all protective management guidelines for stone crab harvest. The sweet meat from the crustacean found along florida s coast can be harvested from oct. The closely related species menippe adina gulf stone crab is. This information is critical for assessing the status of the florida stone crab.
A sampling of seafood markets selling stone crabs in southwest florida. We, florida stone crab are located in hudson, florida, one hour north of tampa bay, directly on florida s central gulf coast. In florida, stone crabs are legal to harvest from october 15 through may 15. Floridas 20162017 stone crab season opens october 15thgreat. Stone crabs officially go on the menu when the season opens oct. Stone crab claws are considered a delicacy by some and for many southwest florida fisheries, the season is a critical moneymaking time of year. Crabbers in north florida hes talked with have not been seeing much. The stone crab traps may be put in the florida water ten days before the opening of the stone crab season. Their long spawning season lasts all spring and summer, during which time females produce up to a million eggs. Some recreational crab fishers collect crabs by hand using scuba or snorkel. This can be partially attributed to the unique process by which stone crab claws are harvested. The florida stone crab menippe mercenaria is a crab found in the western north atlantic, from.
The fivemonth closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve florida s valuable stone crab resource, according to the fwc. Traps may be placed in the water and baited 10 days prior to the opening of the stone crab season. Ha, just kidding, nothing tastes better than stone crab. Stone crab catch in short supply across florida national fisherman. Stone crab season as we now know it in florida runs. Once these crab traps have been placed, crab harvesters may not work these crab traps until the beginning of the crab fishing season. The commercial and recreational harvest of stone crab claws in florida closes on may 16, with the last day of harvest on may 15. Its all about fresh crab claws during stone crab season. We are licensed through the county and state and are certified by the leading organization on seafood safety, haacp hazard analysis and critical control point. The drawback of harvesting only the claws is biologists cannot obtain data about the crab population, including crab size, sex ratio or growth rate. To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care when removing crab claws and follow all protective management guidelines for stone crab harvest. Stone crab season in the florida keys mangrove marina. To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care.
Were in the heart of stone crab season, which began in october and ends in may. After a few seasons of declining harvests and increasing prices, the 2015 2016 florida stone crab season yielded nearly 3 million pounds of claws1 million more than two years ago. But since 2000, the average annual commercial harvest has declined by about 25 percent. Stone crab season runs from midoctober to midmay, when nearly all harvested claws are pulled from the warm waters off florida s gulf coast. Nick giles holds a large stone crab claw at star fish company, 12306 46th ave w. The 201617 florida stone crab season incrediblefish, inc. This years stone crab season has opened up very strong with a lot of crabs. Stone crab season in south florida begins saturday miami. Octopuses were a major problem for lee county fishermen during the 202014 season but not in collier and monroe counties, traditionally the top two stone crab counties in the state. The sweettasting meat of florida stone crab claws is delicious unseasoned, with melted butter or joes famous mustard.
In florida, stone crabs are legal to harvest from october 15 to may 15, and while this season might be more challenging due to water quality, fisherman are staying ahead of the game and placing traps father out into deeper water to increase their chances of a good catch. The crab can also be found in and around the salt marshes of south carolina and georgia. You dont need an excuse to enjoy our stone crab claws. Traps, which have been in the water for a week to 10 days throughout the florida. Patty kirk prepares an order of stone crab claws during the last business day of stone crab season at kirk fish co. Stone crab season in florida is one of the best times to visit, but longboat key is a great beach destination year round. Stone crab fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. At that time, one can begin harvesting these succulent stone crabs. This seasons stone crab harvest is among the states lowest. During the 2018 stone crab season, the harvest was down because of red tide, but still available at a higher price. Stone crab season in florida ends may 16, 2019 bradenton. Stone crab season opens october 15 each year and runs through may 15. After a few seasons of declining harvests and increasing prices, the 20152016 florida stone crab season yielded nearly 3 million pounds of.
Stone crab season off to promising start in florida keys. Uncertainty abounds as stone crab season begins news. Theyre perfect for any occasion for a celebration for a romantic dinner for two or just because. Small harvest leaves florida stone crabbers in a pinch wusf.
The season will be open through may 15, 2016, closing may 16. Florida s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens oct. With stone crab season here, i wanted to answer a simple question. Pull up a chair and bring your appetite because south florida s stone crab season officially opens saturday, oct. Please be aware that once placed, you may not tend to the traps until the start of the season, at which time you may begin harvesting. Traps must be removed within five days after the close of the stone crab season. Stone crabs are a sustainable fishery in part because. Select the number of people who will be enjoying fresh stone crab and well make sure. The florida stone crab menippe mercenaria is a crab found in the western north atlantic, from connecticut to belize, including texas, the gulf of mexico, cuba, the bahamas, and the east coast of the united states.
Stone crab season closes may 16 fwc florida fish and. This fivemonth closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain florida s valuable stone crab. This information is critical for assessing the status of the florida stone crab population. The result of stone crabbers hard worka plate of mighty fine eatin theres nothing more tasty than a florida stone crab.
The good news is that the stone crab population levels are estimated to be high and as of now, no overfishing is happening. Stone crab catch data fwc florida fish and wildlife. Stone crabs are legal for commercial and recreational harvest in florida from oct. The majority of florida stone crab claws are commercially harvested off the southern tip of florida s peninsula, from the florida panhandle to key west. Unlike other crabs, only the claws of the stone crab.
The main harvest method used in both the commercial and recreational fisheries is a baited trap figures 1 and 2. Stone crabs are only legal to harvest during the season and the florida stone crab season runs from october 15 until may 15. Best stone crab in florida winners 2019 usa today 10best. Fresh florida stone crabs from billys stone crab restaurant. This fivemonth closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain florida s valuable stone crab resource. It seems the only thing florida stone crabbers harvested with any consistency during the season that ended. Floridas recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season.
A batch of stone crab claws caught by the crew of the miss chloe wait to be cooked and sold to customers during the first day of stone crab season at. Stone crab is a unique seafood and many people will be surprised to learn that florida is the only state where these unique crustaceans can be commercially harvested. While florida s beloved stone crab is just a week away from making its annual debut on oct. Stone crab season sees significant drop in catches. The states stone crab fishery should expect to take a hit this season from the red tide algae bloom thats been plaguing florida s west coast for months, but the keys, which accounts for 65.
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