FLORIDA — The stone crab season in Florida for 2023–24 is about to end..
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The recreational and commercial stone crab seasons in state and federal waters will close on May 2, 2024, and the last day of harvest will be May 1.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the annual season closure is intended to increase the stone crab population and build resiliency in the fishery.
In Florida, stone crabs are legal to harvest from October 15 through May 1.
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Commercially harvested stone crab claws are legal to possess and sell during the closed season, but only if a licensed wholesale or retail dealer has placed them in inventory before May 2.
Stone crab traps must be removed from the water within five days after the close of the stone crab season. Stone crab claws may not be harvested from traps pulled after the season closes.
Go to MyFWC.com/Marine for more information on harvesting stone crabs for recreation, trap specifications, commercial stone crab regulations, and licensing information.
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