Oct 14, 2009 3:29 pm US/Eastern
Grab The Butter, Stone Crab Season Opens Thursday
MARATHON (CBS4) ―
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Stone crab season opens on Thursday, October 15th
CBS4 News
Get ready to grab the drawn butter and key lime pie for the start of stone crab season on Thursday. This year, commercial fishermen are expressing optimism about better demand for the seafood delicacy.
Last season, low demand caused by the recession had many commercial fishermen in the Florida Keys keeping their traps out of the water, according to Gary Graves, vice president of Keys Fisheries, one of largest processors of claws in the state. The Keys accounts for the largest stone crab claw harvest compared to other areas in the state.
"Last year we went through the first part of the recession and a lot of restaurants weren't buying stone crabs and other seafood," Graves said. "This year we believe all the fishermen have put their traps in the water and there's more optimism about selling the crabs."
The Keys is the top region in the state for the harvest of the claws.
Graves projects that crab claws will cost about the same price they commanded at the end of last season.
"Retail prices of stone crab claws, per pound, should start at $10 for medium, $15 for large and $20 to $22 for jumbos," Graves said.
Stone crabs are the state's only renewable seafood resource, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Legal-size claws are harvested; the body is returned to the water to generate new claws.
This year's season ends May 15.
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