Stone crab fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Best stone crab in florida winners 2019 usa today 10best. Small harvest leaves florida stone crabbers in a pinch wusf. Floridas 20162017 stone crab season opens october 15thgreat. Florida stone crab united states of america gulf of mexico, pots. Stone crabs are legal for commercial and recreational harvest in florida from oct. Stone crabs are only legal to harvest during the season and the florida stone crab season runs from october 15 until may 15. Nick giles holds a large stone crab claw at star fish company, 12306 46th ave w. Uncertainty abounds as stone crab season begins sarasota, fl. The stone crab fishery is unique in that only the claws of the animal are harvested. 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. Start of stone crab season in cortez is worst in recent. 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. This can be partially attributed to the unique process by which stone crab claws are harvested.
The sweettasting meat of florida stone crab claws is delicious unseasoned, with melted butter or joes famous mustard. We, florida stone crab are located in hudson, florida, one hour north of tampa bay, directly on florida s central gulf coast. With stone crab season here, i wanted to answer a simple question. This information is critical for assessing the status of the florida stone crab. Unlike other crabs, only the claws of the stone crab. Traps must be removed within five days after the close of the stone crab season. Stone crab catch data fwc florida fish and wildlife. Patty kirk prepares an order of stone crab claws during the last business day of stone crab season at kirk fish co.
During the 2018 stone crab season, the harvest was down because of red tide, but still available at a higher price. Traps may be placed in the water and baited 10 days prior to the opening of the stone crab season. The result of stone crabbers hard worka plate of mighty fine eatin theres nothing more tasty than a florida stone crab. Stone crab catch in short supply across florida national fisherman. Stone crab season off to promising start in florida keys. 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. 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. 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. The states first official stonecrab season went into effect in 1985. Stone crab season not a good one for crabbers the newspress. The crab can also be found in and around the salt marshes of south carolina and georgia. Stone crab season sees significant drop in catches.
This fivemonth closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain florida s valuable stone crab resource. Pull up a chair and bring your appetite because south florida s stone crab season officially opens saturday, oct. This information is critical for assessing the status of the florida stone crab population. In florida, stone crabs are legal to harvest from october 15 through may 15. A sampling of seafood markets selling stone crabs in southwest florida. Stone crabs officially go on the menu when the season opens oct. This fivemonth closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain florida s valuable stone crab. Everyone is excited to get their hands on some fresh stone crab for the start of the 2016 17 season. Whether theyre the main course or a juicy appetizer, we have a variety of claw sizes to appease your appetite.
The season will be open through may 15, 2016, closing may 16. The sweet meat from the crustacean found along florida s coast can be harvested from oct. Stone crab season in florida ends may 16, 2019 bradenton. The closely related species menippe adina gulf stone crab is. Crabbers in north florida hes talked with have not been seeing much. Fresh florida stone crabs from billys stone crab restaurant. Stone crab season in south florida begins saturday miami. Were in the heart of stone crab season, which began in october and ends in may. 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.
To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care. While florida s beloved stone crab is just a week away from making its annual debut on 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. But since 2000, the average annual commercial harvest has declined by about 25 percent. The florida stone crab menippe mercenaria is a crab found in the western north atlantic, from. Stone crab season as we now know it in florida runs. This seasons stone crab harvest is among the states lowest. The fivemonth closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve florida s valuable stone crab resource, according to the fwc. Floridas recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season.
Stone crabs are a sustainable fishery in part because. Their long spawning season lasts all spring and summer, during which time females produce up to a million eggs. 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 runs from midoctober to midmay, when nearly all harvested claws are pulled from the warm waters off florida s gulf coast. The commercial and recreational harvest of stone crab claws in florida closes on may 16, with the last day of harvest on may 15. Stone crab season in florida is one of the best times to visit, but longboat key is a great beach destination year round. At that time, one can begin harvesting these succulent stone crabs. 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 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.
Stone crab season opens october 15 each year and runs through may 15. 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. 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. Some recreational crab fishers collect crabs by hand using scuba or snorkel. The 201617 florida stone crab season incrediblefish, inc. Its all about fresh crab claws during stone crab season. Stone crab season in the florida keys mangrove marina. The main harvest method used in both the commercial and recreational fisheries is a baited trap figures 1 and 2. Select the number of people who will be enjoying fresh stone crab and well make sure. Uncertainty abounds as stone crab season begins news. 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.