Gettin' Ready to Ship

Drove about an hour to Crystal River (FL) today for lunch at Charly's Fish House Restaurant for some Stone Crab Claws. Charlie's has been in business for 53 years and they own their own fleet of fishing boats so everything on their menu is super fresh. Our server, PJ, was a hoot...knew what we needed even before we did and then brought us finger bowls with warm water and a lemon wedge at the end of our meal. As we were waiting for our 'Stones' I spotted this guy on the dock preparing a catch of Striped Mullet for delivery to another restaurant or to be shipped off somewhere. He first weighed the fish, then emptied them into a plastic container onto a bed of ice chips, then covered them with more ice and they were ready to go. Oh, the Stone Crab claws were wonderful! We only eat them in the 'R' months and then only a couple of times a year because they are Crazy Expensive! Stone crabs are trapped, only one claw is taken which leaves the crab with a claw for defense and feeding. The crab then will regenerate the 'missing' claw. So these crabs are truly a renewable resource... and I like mine cold with drawn butter and cocktail sauce, thank you!