Evaluation of minimum stone crab claw length regulations in Texas

This study indicated that a minimum claw length of 64 mm rather than 70 mm would increase the number of Texas stone crab claws available for legal harvest by 16.3%. Stone crabs were collected during Texas Parks and Wildlife routine gill net sampling in the spring and fall of 1983 and 1984. Carapace widths of these crabs were applied to carapace width/claw length regression equations derived for stone crabs in Mississippi. Comparisons of percent occurrence were made by sex and claw type based on claw size limits of 64 mm and 70 mm. This study was conducted in response to concerns voiced at public hearings that a 70 mm claw size limit would be too restrictive for the developing Texas stone crab fishery.