SECTION 19 

 Red Crab {Gevyon quinquedsns) 



Life History Summary 



In the western Atlantic Ocean, the red crab occurs from Nova Scotia to 

 Argentina. In the Middle Atlantic Bight, they are found in depths ranging 

 from 110 to 1,460 m, with the greatest concentrations in the 320 to 550 m 

 depth range (Serchuk and Wigley 1982). There is evidence that red crabs are 

 somewhat segregated by sex and depth: females are more numerous in depths 

 ranging from 320 to 500 m, while males predominate in depths exceeding 500 m 

 (Wigley et al . 1975). However, both sexes are found at all depths common to 

 the species. There is no evidence of seasonal migration. 



The red crab fishery is entirely a domestic commercial undertaking. 

 Commercial fishing for red crab off New England began during 1973, in response 

 to declining offshore American lobster stocks. The Mid-Atlantic fishery began 

 in 1977 and 1978, in response to declining surf clam stocks. Most fishing off 

 New England takes place near the offshore canyons (Block, Atlantis and 

 Veatch). In the Mid-Atlantic, effort has been concentrated in the Norfolk 

 Canyon area. This is a trap fishery, and currently only two vessels are 

 actively fishing for red crab as a directed effort; one in New England, and 

 the other off Virginia. 



Female red crabs become sexually mature at about 80-91 mm carapace 

 width. The size at which males become sexually mature is unknown, but it may 

 be as small as 51 mm (Haefner 1977). Female egg-bearing red crabs are taken 

 throughout the year, however, the percentage of females carrying eggs 

 increases during the summer and peaks in late autumn. Apparently, most 

 hatching occurs between January and June (Haefner 1978). The preponderance of 



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