Stone crab season is set to begin on October 15, offering commercial and recreational harvesters the chance to catch the prized crustaceans. The season will remain open until May 1, officially closing on May 2.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued important reminders regarding regulations and best practices for the season.
Key Regulations and Requirements:
Claw Size Limit: The minimum claw size limit for harvest remains 2 7/8 inches.
Escape Rings: All recreational and commercial plastic or wood stone crab traps must have an unobstructed escape ring measuring 2 3/16 inches in diameter. This ring must be located within a vertical exterior trap wall.
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Recreational Trap Registration: Recreational harvesters age 16 and older are required to complete a no-cost, online recreational stone crab trap registration each year, even if they are normally exempt from needing a license. Registration is available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Upon registering, individuals will receive unique trap registration numbers, which, along with the owner’s full name and address, must be legibly and permanently attached to each trap.
Daily Bag Limits (Recreational): The daily bag limit for recreational harvesters is 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. Recreational fishers may use up to five stone crab traps per person.
Harvesting Restrictions: Claws may not be taken from egg-bearing stone crabs. Harvesting stone crabs with any device that can puncture, crush, or injure the crab’s body, such as spears and hooks, is prohibited.
Best Practices: Harvesters are urged to take care when removing claws to avoid permanently injuring the crab. FWC has released a new video on YouTube (@FWCSaltwaterFishing) demonstrating best practices for claw removal and reviewing current regulations.
Ghost Fishing: Traps not actively being fished must be removed from the water to prevent “ghost fishing,” where marine species are caught unnecessarily.
It is noted that stone crab regulations are the same in both state and federal waters.
For comprehensive information on recreational and commercial stone crab regulations, trap specifications, and licensing, visit MyFWC.com/Marine, navigate to “Recreational Regulations,” select “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish,” and then choose “Stone Crab.”
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