Developing a soft-shelled green crab industry in PEI

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The University of Prince Edward Island will partner with the Acadian Fishermen`s Co-op Association Ltd. to explore a soft-shelled green crab product for human consumption. Fishing permits for this invasive crab species have recently been approved by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, creating a new economic opportunity for fishermen and seafood processors, as well as a means of controlling an invasive species that has been damaging coastal ecosystems and shellfish populations since its introduction to the province in the late 1990's. We propose to adapt fishing and processing procedures used in Europe to develop a soft-shelled green crab product with a market value that parallels that of the North American lobster. We will determine the best fishing strategies and holding conditions to maximize the synchronization of moulting crabs in captivity. We will also conduct a preliminary analysis of the market for soft-shelled crab in PEI.