Mature female or females in general

[headlessblade]

First time crabbing in N.J.. A "ranger" told me you can't keep them no matter the size? Is this law? Just want to confirm. Can't find the actual regulations specifying this on a quick google search.I know you can't keep females with sponge or crabs less than 4.5".

[Mguy1]

You can keep females as long as they do not have eggs attached.  4-1/2" minimum for hard crabs, female or male.  You're about to get hammered for asking if it's okay to keep female crabs. all I know is that the marine biologists who know a lot more than I know have decided that keeping the females isn't harming the population.  I keep the females.

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/non-comm_crabpot_regs.pdf

[headlessblade]

That's what I thought since I can't find the law. I read the regulation found online which didn't mention anything about females.

Recreational crabber vs commercial crabber who is destroying the crab population? As with anything else if you can pay you can destroy.

[Crab Shack]

The rules are (unless they have recently changed) is that you can keep all female crabs that meet the size minimum as long as they don't have egg sacks on them. Me personally, I don't keep any females.  

[Capt. Debbie]

Simple.  They are legal without an egg sack attached and over NJ size limits.  3.0" shedders  3.5" soft shell crabs and 4.5 inch hard shell.

If legal you decide what to keep or not to keep   It's  up to you.

[r_ventura_23]

I'll buy that ranger a beer.

[headlessblade]

Thanks for the information. It's an ethical/moral decision; no law/regulation to back it up.