Soft-Shell Crab Production in Louisiana

Daniel Edgar, owner of St. Mary Seafood & Marina and infamous star Swamp People, provides a tour of his soft-shell blue crab operation in Franklin, Louisiana.
Soft-shell blue crab is a value-added subsection of the larger commercial crabbing industry done at shedding facilities across the coast. Recently, this traditional Louisiana business has been in decline. In 2017, only about 10,800 pounds of soft-shell were produced in Louisiana. Lively and Carol Franze, an AgCenter and Sea Grant specialist, are working to revive the soft-shell crab industry.
This video was produced by Anna Ribbeck, LSU AgCenter social media strategist.

[@laftiskuno1357]

Very cool!

[@santobrocato8012]

All respect to you. 2 friends and I tried this in 1985 - 86. It was exhausting work and requires participation of a lost of people.

[@imxploring]

Labor intensive... but it doubles the value of crabs. Soft shells are delicious!

[@LorenParis]

Met this gentleman last year.he is a great person. pleasure to get to talk to him even for a minute while he was unloading his gators.

[@justdoingitjim7095]

When I lived on Galveston Bay I always kept three crab traps tied to the dock. I'd check them every day to make sure they had bait, but I wouldn't take the crabs out until Saturday morning. If a trap ran out of bait, the larger crabs would kill the smaller ones and eat them. Saturday morning I'd steam them all up and then sit and pick out the meat while watching my Saturday morning westerns! I'd eat steamed crabs sometimes, but my favorites were stuffed crab or crab cakes!

[@davidhovey6045]

Interesting. Now I won’t complain I just paid $9.00 apiece

[@diesel2504]

From where?

[@paulvincentgarcia1435]

Don't forget manila men first dry fish and shrimp 🦐

[@2legit2011]

Wait… wasn’t this guy on that alligator hunting show on tv!?

[@steveleonard8643]

yes

[@cupcakejonz54]

Just Saw the Guy on a Netflix special Hunting Gators Swamp Something and I Benged watch every episode He's a Beautiful Spirit and Knows his Stuff Plus Dem Swamp Donkey's 💖💖💖💖💖

[@carmenthompson4298]

I’m curious how often he has to do water changes

[@ByronAcey]

Can anybody tell me how I can get in touch with him

[@davidaix5771]

Where can I order crabs from him?

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

He's on the show "Swamp People". I forget his name but you could Google it.

[@LizzieAnn451]

Do you still sell soft shell crabs?

[@luciad5988]

I’ve never had a soft shell crab. It’s on my list of things to do! Nice video.

[@milolouis]

I just ate three fried. It is the best thing ever.

[@MaineGreenCrabs]

Very interesting set up. I’m starting to work on a similar process for molting green crabs (Carcinus maenas) here in Maine. Does Mr Edgar or any other businesses like his ever give tours? I’d be very interested in seeing and better understanding the process. Despite being different species there are some similarities which I think might lead to this method of monitoring for imminent molt from the pre-molts is transferable. Excellent video!

[@LSUAgCenter]

Call St. Mary Seafood and Marina to inquire.

[@josebaked138]

Crabs look good.

[@moonshadownorah]

Nice, good job!

[@jh42972]

Why are most softcrabs sold females?

[@KevinReed-l3f]

Fabulous seafood, thank you Edgar!

[@HammerJammer81]

are these the guys they use for those sushi rolls?

[@joahlewis4722]

This would be a fun job

[@alcom1313]

Where can I order as a customer?

[@woodyahh2110]

And now I know THANKS