Southern gulf of maine/cape cod bay crabs

[robc22]

There are two species of edible crabs that can be harvested in Southern gulf of Maine/cape cod bay. The Maine rock( peekytoe) crab and the Jonah crab. This is stricly a trapfishery as the adults of these species live in the deeper waters( 30 feet plus). Most of these crab are taken by folks checking there lobster gear, be it a rec. or comm. fisherman.

The jonah crab has some fantastic claw meat and that makes the crab worth buying, but that's about it

The rock or peekytoe crab has much smaller claws and it must be a serious amount of picking to even get a little crab meat from their bodies. Most folks I know don't bother with them.

Jonah crab = browner in colour and big claws

rock crab = more reddish and smaller claws