Stone crab season to open; FWC extending state regulations into federal waters
News Release
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Media contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-487-0554
Get your claw-crackers ready, because Florida's recreational and
commercial stone crab claw harvest seasons open Saturday Oct.
15.
Stone crab claws must be at least 2¾ inches in
length to be harvested legally, but claws may not be taken from
egg-bearing female stone crabs. Recreational harvesters are allowed
to use up to five stone crab traps, and there is a daily bag limit
of one gallon of claws per person or two gallons per vessel,
whichever is less. Recreational and commercial traps may be baited
and placed in the water beginning Oct. 5, but none may be pulled
until Oct. 15. The season lasts until May 16, 2012.
Though stone crab harvest rules will remain the same, the FWC
voted in June to extend state management regulations for stone
crabs into federal waters. This came after the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council voted to repeal the Fishery Management
Plan for stone crabs in federal waters and allow the FWC to manage
them in all waters surrounding Florida. This change goes into
effect Oct. 24.
For more information on harvesting
stone crabs for fun, as well as commercial stone
crab regulations and licensing information, go to MyFWC.com/Rules and click on
"Fishing - Saltwater."
Visit the Fresh from Florida website at
FL-seafood.com for ideas on how to turn your stone crab catch into a feast the
family will love.
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