Applause for claws: South Florida celebrates stone crab season
.JPG "Diners enjoy stone crabs, hash browns, cream spinach, prime steak, ribs, brisket and key lime pie. On Tuesday October 14, Joe's Stone Crab held dinner for Children's Home Society fundraiser as it preps for upcoming 101st season on Thursday, October 15, 2014. The event raised more than $149,000.")
The claws are coming out.
The 101st stone crab season began Wednesday and South Florida seafood restaurants including the venerable Joe’s rang in with decadent meals of the succulent crustacean parts.
The season will run until May 15, and anyone with a trap and some expertise in claw harvesting can get in on the action.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets rigorous regulation to recreational stone crabbing, so harvesters will want to make sure they’re getting it right.
Aside from being tasty, stone crabs can actually grows their claws back. So proper harvesting dictates crabbers may only remove claws from the crabs without killing them. This way crabs remain plantiful in Florida waters for future season to enjoy their buttery goodness.
This story was originally published October 16, 2014 at 8:25 AM with the headline "Applause for claws: South Florida celebrates stone crab season."