Harvest and identification of peeler crabs

Abstract

Peeler crabs are simply hard shell blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) that show signs of molting. The molting process, commercially called shedding, is when the hard shell is cast off and the new soft shell emerges. In the soft condition, the shell expands to a larger size before rehardening. Peeler crabs is the term given to blue crabs that are in a pre-molt stage. Identification of pre-molt crabs is the key to the success of soft shell crab operations since prolonged time in a shedding facility increass the chance of mortality, requires feeding, decreases water quality and increases operating costs. (2pp.)