October 15th launches harvest time for one of South Florida’s favorite crustaceans. But this year new rules apply – crab claws will need to be 1/8” longer to harvest legally, and the season will close two weeks early, on May 2.
The move, aimed at helping build back the declining stone crab numbers, may mean consumers will see fewer medium claws, compared to large, jumbo and colossal.
“Florida’s stone crab fishery has experienced a long-term decline in harvest and is likely undergoing overfishing,” notes the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which approved changes to recreational and commercial stone crab regulations at its July meeting. The changes aim to increase the stone crab population and build resiliency in the fishery.
The iconic Joe’s Stone Crab reopens for the season Fri., Oct. 16th. Take-away is open daily and there’s limited indoor and patio dining.
George Stone Crab, the largest national stone crab home delivery company, delivers claws via MINI Cooper in South Florida, and ships overnight elsewhere in the U.S. This year, founder Roger Duarte says they think the harvest may be more plentiful this season because the pandemic cut it short. “As restaurants were closed due to COVID-19, there was a larger supply not caught to support them.” New this year: chef Henry Hané’s dipping sauces, including Singapore Black Pepper and Peruvian Salsa Golf, in addition to their mustard sauce.
In Coral Gables, MKT Kitchen is the home of Holy Crab, the newest stone crab company in Miami, offering delivery, takeout and dine-in options. Their stone crab claws will be caught daily from fishermen in the Florida Keys and delivered to Miami. Market prices will be set daily.
In Fort Lauderdale, Shooters Waterfront is offering the succulent claws at $14 for one claw and $26 for two, pre-cracked and served with a sweet and mild mustard sauce.
Keys Fisheries in Marathon typically hosts the annual Stone Crab Eating Contest every November, in which competitors race to crack and eat 25 stone crab claws. They’ve called it off for this year, but plan for a bigger event in 2021. Meanwhile, they offer stone crab shipping and dine-in or takeout at their … They also offer hot stone crab directly from the boats from 5-8pm.
Moving the end of Florida stone crab season a month earlier and increasing the minimum claw size are two potential...
One of South Florida’s menu favorites, stone crabs live in both Atlantic and Gulf waters. Their ability to regenerate...
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