BOSTON (AP) - Atlantic lobstermen and fishing regulators are tagging Jonah crabs in an effort to learn more about their migration patterns and growth.
Jonahs have been growing in value and volume of catch in recent years. They are used as food, sometimes to substitute for the popular Dungeness crab.
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the Atlantic Lobstermen's Association are tagging the crabs. They ask residents who find a crab with an orange or green tag marked with "AOLA" to call Heidi Henninger at 774-251-9454.
Organizers of the effort say every report of a tag will qualify the crab finder to a raffle entry. Prizes will range up to $1,000.
Fishermen catch Jonahs from Maine to Maryland. Most of the catch is off of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
