INACTIVE US Jonah crab- pot/trap

Note: This FIP is inactive.

Jonah crab has long been considered a bycatch of the lobster industry. In recent years, however, markets for Jonah crab have increased, causing concern that targeted fishing pressure will compromise the health of the fishery. (Completed)

Jonah crab has no stock assessment or fishery management plan of its own, due in part to limited data on its population, growth rates, distribution, and sexual maturity. In addition, the limited dealer reports available often don’t differentiate by species, confusing Jonah crab (Cancer borealis) with rock crab (Cancer irroatus). 

As Jonah crab increases in value to the region, protecting the resource from decimation becomes progressively important. According to NMFS data, 4,089.8 mt of Jonah crab was landed in New England in 2011 with a total ex-vessel value of $5,530,388. In fact, the harvest has increased steadily over the past decade. While Maine lands the greatest amount of lobster in New England, Massachusetts, followed by Rhode Island, has landed the greatest amount of Jonah crab in the region for the past three years. In 2011, Massachusetts landed 2,440.30 mt of Jonah crab, Rhode Island landed 1,152.30 mt, Maine landed 497.10 mt, and Connecticut landed 0.1 mt.

Between 2013 and 2016 a group of industry, management and research leaders engaged in this FIP to address sustainability concerns in the Jonah crab fishery, advocating for a series of research and management actions. By the end of 2015, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the first fishery management plan for Jonah crab along the east coast.