Stone Crab
The Stone Crab (Menippe Mercenaria) is found in the Atlantic from Connecticut to Belize in South America. It is also common in the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba and the Bahamas.
The Florida stone crab loses its limbs easily to escape from predators or tight spaces, but their limbs will grow back. When a claw is broken such that the diaphragm at the body/claw joint is left intact, the wound will quickly heal itself and very little blood is lost. If, however, the claw is broken in the wrong place, more blood is lost and the crab's chances of survival are much lower. It only takes about one year for the claw to grow back to its normal size. Some articles report this takes up to two years. Each time the crab molts, the new claw grows larger.
The larger of the two claws is called the "crusher claw". The smaller claw is called the "pincer claw". If the larger crusher claw is on the right side of the crab's body, the crab is "right-handed". If the crusher claw is on the left side of the crab's body, it is "left-handed". Since crabs' eyes are on stalks, they can see 360°.
Size: The Stone Crab can measure between 5 and 6 1/2 inches across the carapace. A large crab claw can weigh up to half a pound.
Mating: Sexual maturity is reached at one year. Their long spawning season lasts all spring and summer, during which time females produce 500,000 to 1 million eggs. The larvae go through six stages in about 36 days before emerging as juvenile crabs. Their lifespan is seven to eight years.
The male Florida stone crab must wait for the female to molt her exoskeleton before they can mate. After mating, the male will stay to help protect the female for several hours to several days. This is common for most crabs. The female will spawn four to six times each season.
The male Florida stone crab must wait for the female to molt her exoskeleton before they can mate. After mating, the male will stay to help protect the female for several hours to several days. This is common for most crabs. The female will spawn four to six times each season.
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." Stone Crab has received their "Best Choice" rating.
The MSC's fishery certification program and seafood ecolabel recognise and reward sustainable fishing. They are a global organisation working with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups and the public to promote the best environmental choice in seafood. Marine Stewardship Council.
The MSC's fishery certification program and seafood ecolabel recognise and reward sustainable fishing. They are a global organisation working with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups and the public to promote the best environmental choice in seafood. Marine Stewardship Council.
Marine Stewardship Council
Certified as sustainable on December 1st 2010.The MSC's fishery
certification program and seafood ecolabel recognise and reward sustainable
fishing. We are a global organisation working with fisheries, seafood companies,
scientists, conservation groups and the public to promote the best environmental
choice in seafood.
Size of Catch
The catch of Stone Crab in Florida in 2008 was about 6 million pounds. These numbers are for Florida only and do not include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama nor the crabs caught in foreign countries. Also, realize that the catch is for only one pincher per crab; not the entire crab.