Crustacean biologists with FWC are investigating stone crab movement throughout the Florida Keys. Stone crabs caught in fisheries-independent monitoring traps are being tagged and released into nearby waters from Marathon to Key West. So far, researchers have tagged more than 3,100 crabs.
Investigators ask all trappers to look out for tagged stone crabs. The tags are placed by the back leg, are chartreuse yellow and have a unique four-digit number. Researchers hope to receive enough tag reports from commercial and recreational fishermen to estimate how far crabs are traveling and the direction of their movement. This data will help to fill in knowledge gaps and may result in a greater statewide tagging effort.
After catching a tagged stone crab, please do not remove the tag before returning the crab to the water, as the crabs will retain the tag through their molt phase. Please send a picture of a chart plotter with coordinates displayed and the tag with the four-digit number showing. Call or text 786-492-0137 or email tagreturn@myfwc.com. Those who report tags may include their mailing address and shirt size for a reward.
