For the most part, the Sea Grant effort in the soft crab industry over the
last decade has taken the form of sponsored research to develop improved
shedding, packaging and marketing techniques, plus advisory service seminars,
workshops and field agent contacts.
The Maryland Sea Grant College supports innovative marine research and education, with a special focus on the Chesapeake Bay. With funding from the NOAA and the State of Maryland, Sea Grant-supported research targets practical problems, with the aim of promoting wise decision-making.
The first publication of its kind to deal with
shedding soft crabs, entitled "Methods of Handling and shedding of Blue Crabs,
Callinectes Sapidus," was printed under Sea Grant sponsorship at VIMS in 1974
(Marine Resource Advisory No.8). Commercial production of soft blue crabs began
about 1850 in Crisfield, Maryland, spreading from there down Chesapeake Bay to
the mid-Atlantic and GuIf Coasts over the next 100 years. Louisiana production,
which went exclusively to New Orleans, began in the late 1800's to early 1900
's. The historical method of shedding crabs was crude and not very efficient.
A shedder would fence off a shallow area of shoreline, catch some hard crabs
and release them into the enclosure. He would feed them fish or other scraps and go
in periodically to look for soft crabs.
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There was a high mortality associated with the
method because of cannibalism, deteriorating water quality, high temperature and low oxygen content.
Such enclosures were termed "shedding pounds." In the next stage, shedders began to recognize reliable
shedding signs on the pre-molt crabs, termed "peelers." The most distinguishable sign was the changing color
line on the paddle fins. A peeler several weeks away from molting was termed a "white sign" or "green" crab.
As molting time drew closer, the whitish line near the margin of the backfin changed to pink, then to red.
A "red sign" crab would shed within a matter of hours.
Shallow tanks were placed on sturdy tables or benches on a pier or shore
side. Tank dimensions commonly were 4' X 8' X 10". Constructed of marine or
exterior grade 1/2" -3/4" plywood, the tanks were easy to build and would last
10 to15 years with reasonable care. Cost was around $100 each. Some shedders
opted for tanks built of concrete or concrete blocks right on the ground.
They were durable, but once in place, could not be moved. Also, a person
tending such tanks did a lot of bending. Later, fiberglass came into use.
Athough more expensive ($200 -$250 per tank) than wood, fiberglass was light,
durable, easy to move about and easy to clean.
Talk to other commercial
crab houses and/or organizations for more information
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