With stone crab season officially underway in South Florida, it's safe to say that it's one of the most wonderful times of the year!
The first shipment of fresh stone crabs arrived Sunday afternoon at Miami Marine Stadium in Key Biscayne.
They were flown in by helicopter from fishing boats.
For several restaurants, the delicious arrival means a lot of money will soon by pouring. But will Irma drive up stone crab prices?
The price of crabs isn't determined until the first day of the catch, but experts predict similar prices to last year. Those pros also say prices may stay higher after the opening crush, partly because crabbers and fisheries want to recoup storm losses.
Prices have risen steadily over the years as worldwide stone crab demand increases. Florida's annual harvest remains steady, at roughly 3 million pounds per season.
“This is the official kick-off of the tourist season for Dade County and South Florida,” Coconut Grove Seafood Festival organizer Tony Abelo told WSVN News. “I know Joe’s opens up, Monty’s opens up, and all the tourism developed from the stone crab season is more than we can expect.”
Stone crab celebrations will abound in coming weeks:
- The South Beach Seafood Festival takes place Oct. 17-21
- Keys Fisheries in Marathon holds its annual stone crab eating contest on Oct. 21
- $100 gets you 25 crab claws
- Point Royal restaurant is hosting an all-you-can-eat stone crab brunch on Oct. 22
Raise a claw and give a cheer -- stone crab season is finally here!
Stone crab season runs from October 15 through May 15.