What are the regulations on females with eggs?
Females carrying eggs are called ovigerous and their egg sacs are known as sponges (Figure 4 and 5). Ovigerous females are easily identifiable by the orange or brown sponge the female carries under her. The sponge is revealed when the crab is picked up or turned over. All crabs should be checked for the presence of a sponge prior to declawing. If a sponge is detected, the crab must be placed back in the water immediately and unharmed. Extended periods of time out of the water can damage the delicate eggs and cause a female to drop the sponge. Once dropped from stress or damage, the sponge and eggs contained in that spawn are lost. It is illegal for anyone to harvest claws from ovigerous females.
