Production and Sale of Soft-shell Blue Crabs

Louisiana is the nation’s No. 1 producer of blue crabs (callinectes sapidus). Soft-shell crabs are a delicacy, prized for their flavor and meat yield, and shedding a crab doubles its value. The average crab molts between 20 and 25 times in in lifetime, shedding its old shell as the animal grows. Crabs remain in the soft stage for only a brief period. This video provides an introduction to the production and sale of soft-shell blue crabs.

[@mike77752]

What do you guys mean when you say some methods specifically target peeler crabs and rely on "Hormonal Attractions?"

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

They will put a female crab about to molt to maturity in the cage to attract males.

[@theshuman100]

stripper crabs

[@alanday5255]

The production size of blue crab has been getting smaller every year.

[@MrSeadawg123]

Oldie but a goodie!! Thank you so much for the upload and well made video! Why don't people just raise them from eggs? I see alot of crab farms in thailand doing this. And I bet we import a lot from the asian countries because of this. Is it hard, not economical, any thoughts?

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

It is definitely possible to raise them from eggs, but at least in Louisiana and other blue crab states, it’s not economical to aquaculture them from eggs. It’s labor and time intensive.

[@MrSeadawg123]

@@LouisianaSeaGrant Thank you for the reply! It is tough to compete against third world labor. But if a person was to try it. Do you know of any resources that might help a person do it?

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

@@MrSeadawg123 Your best resources would be at the Gulf Coast Research Lab - www.usm.edu/gulf-coast-research-laboratory/.

[@MrSeadawg123]

@@LouisianaSeaGrant Thank you so much!!

[@spyrossavvinos6990]

CIRCULATION IF THE AQUARIUS COULD BE PLEASANT WITH FRESH WATER 100/100👌👌👍👍

[@jovanymendez_rap2513]

😮

[@thanhavictus]

Why are soft shell dungenous crabs not a thing?

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

We can't specifically say, but we believe it is due to the nature of the fishery and it not being cost-effective to hold Dungeness crabs waiting for them to molt. The boats are at sea too long, and it's not practical to hold crabs that might mold on the large ships.

[@alfakrab6134]

Do you guys sell peelers?

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

Sorry. Louisiana Sea Grant doesn't sell any seafood.

[@randyhebert9769]

What kind of license do you have to have to sale crabs

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

You can find some information related to that at www.lafisheriesforward.org/crab/ and www.lafisheriesforward.org/about-us/library/. If you need additional information, please click the contact link on the Fisheries Forward website.

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

This chart also may be helpful - louisianadirectseafood.com/about-us/for-industry/licensepermit_manual/.

[@nelsonfei631]

Hi , is it normal for a crab with the thing on it shell ? 4:50 because it looks a bit creepy lol.

[@LouisianaSeaGrant]

According to our fisheries specialist, those are barnacles. It’s not abnormal, just indicative that the crab hasn’t molted in a while. She thinks the barnacles can grow a lot faster here with the warmer water. She's seen barnacles on crabs in the mid-Atlantic, but not as many.

[@nelsonfei631]

Okay now i know it. Thanks sir for your kind and informative reply. It's kinda creepy for those who got trypophobia lol.