LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Seafood lovers...that special time of year is back! Stone crab season officially kicked off Tuesday.
Fox 4 was there as crabbers from Island Crab Company in St. James City brought in their first harvest of the season.
The crabs were weighed, graded, then put on ice to be shipped to restaurants across the state.
This year's harvests will be a good indication on if the stone crap population is bouncing back after last year's red tide crisis.
“The first few boats that had to come in early, they’re looking pretty decent. Stone crab season 2019 is looking way better than ’18. Last year we had what you’d call a drought year,” said one crabber.
There are new recreational trap requirements this year. Harvesters 16 and up will have to fill out a free, online trap registration and include their registration number, address, and name on traps before they can be used.
Stone crab season runs through May 15th.
