Stone crab
Bahamian Stone crab
Stone crabs are found throughout the Caribbean and
tropical western Atlantic and are the target of a claw
only fishery. The crabs have two large claws, or “biters”,
that can make up as much as 60% of their total body
weight, the claws are removed from the crab (if they are
over the legal size requirement of 4 inches) and the
living crab is returned to the sea.
Only one claw is removed and the next one is left on
when returned to the sea in order for the crab to feed
itself and defend against any predators. The claw that
was removed grows back as soon as the crab molts
(process in which the crustacean literally climbs out of
its shell in order to grow), it has a soft shell underneath
the old one and once in contact with sea water it inflates
and hardens.
Stone crabs are harvested by setting wooden traps that are checked after a period of time, once the claws are
collected from each set of traps they are processed on
board the vessel (boiled or cooked) to preserve its
quality and freshness.
Stone Crab Size Chart:
2.1-3.0 oz. = Medium
3.1-5.0 oz. = Large
5.1-8.0 oz. = Jumbo
8.1-10.0 oz. = Colossal
