Regulation changes approved for stone crab trap escape ring requirements
At its October meeting, held Oct. 4 and 5, 2023 in Jensen Beach, Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to recreational and commercial stone crab regulations for escape ring requirements.
These regulation changes include:
• For the 2023-24 stone crab season, an unobstructed escape ring 2-3/16 inches in diameter for all recreational and commercial plastic or wood stone crab traps is required, with no location requirement specified.
• For the 2024-25 stone crab season and beyond, an unobstructed escape ring 2-3/16 inches in diameter, to be located within a vertical exterior trap wall for all recreational and commercial plastic or wood stone crab traps is required.
For more information, including the October 2023 Commission meeting presentation, visit myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/october-2023.
For current recreational stone crab regulations, visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/stone-crab.