Jonah Crab

The Jonah crab is an Atlantic species, closely related to the much-prized Dungeness crab (and sometimes referred to as the Atlantic Dungeness Crab) harvested in the Pacific. Their habitat stretches from Atlantic Canada as far south as North Carolina. They are a deep-water species, rather than a tidal-zone species, and have long been a by-catch of the lobster industry. Traditionally Jonah crabs have been considered a nuisance species prone to filling the traps of lobstermen.

Size: Physically they are oval in shape and similar in appearance to rock crab, though slightly larger, growing to 6 or 7 inches in width at the carapace. The picture looks very much like a Dungeness Crab. For some reason people eat only the claws and not the legs and bodies.

Mating: Very little is know to date on the reproduction of the Jonah Crab. However, I would guess it is very similar to the Dungeness Crab or other true crabs.

Sustainability

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans. Their recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices," "Good Alternatives," and which ones you should "Avoid." Jonah Crab has received their "Good Alternatives" rating

Catch: Very little is known as to the amount of Jonah Crab caught annually, but it is estimated that it is about 1,500 tonnes. A tonne is equal to 2240 pounds or 1000 kilograms.
Our common ton is equal to 2000 pounds.