When blue crabs
shed their shells, they become the more commercially
valuable soft shelled crabs. This has been done
for at least one hundred years in the United
States. No one has yet been able to culture
crabs from eggs to marketable animals. In order
to maintain a steady supply of soft shelled
crabs, commercial harvesters should have the
ability to catch and recognize crabs that are
nearing molting time.
The blue crab
is found mostly on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts
of the United States. The hard outer shell is
called exoskeleton. The hard outer shell cannot
stretch with growth, so the crab must shed its
shell or molt as many as 25 times in its lifetime
in order to grow.
Small crabs generally
molt every other day. With rare exceptions female
crabs do not molt after they reach sexual maturity.
Near molt, crabs are put in a controlled environment,
so they can be harvested properly during the
few hours that the shell is soft, and after
harvesting they become soft shelled crabs.
For a regular
supply, the first requirement is to have access
to a reliable supply of crabs which are at the
shedding stage. These are called premolts or
busters. Buster crabs can be got from the commercial
harvest of wild blue crabs. The fisherman has
to grade the crabs as they are caught and separate
and carefully handle the busters.
The shedding
system operator has to see whether he has to
pay a high price as incentive to the fishermen
to grade their crabs. If the buster crabs are
handled carelessly, more than 50% will die.
Harvesters who handle their busters with the
utmost care can keep mortality rates under 10%.
After shedding
its shell the crab must be allowed to expand
to its full size. Then it has to be removed
from the water immediately or its shell hardens.
These soft shelled crabs may be stored in a
refrigerator and wrapped or packaged once a
day.
Buster crabs
are available every year from the middle of
March till October. In April or May, the production
is at its peak. Another peak is in September.
After the busters
have been caught, handling them properly is
very necessary. Immediately they should be put
in a separate crate, which should be filled
with ever green branches. These branches provide
cool shade, cushion the crabs and prevent them
from poking other crabs. The buster crate should
be covered with a moist burlap. Sooner the soft
shelled crabs are put in the system after being
caught, the better it is.
The soft shelled
crab has a very good market value. It is a highly
favored consumer delicacy. Hence careful and
efficient handling will make a difference between
a 50% shedding rate and 90% rate.
For price
quotes and any further information, feel free
to call us today at:
Siam
Canadian Foods Co., Ltd.
9th Floor, Suite 283/44, Home Place Office Building.
283 Thonglor 13, Sukhumvit 55
Kongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110,
THAILAND
Call us at +66-2-185-3311
Fax: +66-2-185-3317
Email us at info@siamcanadian.com
