Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does SCDNR pay the Stone Crab Kids for the research?
A: They don't pay us at all. The project lost its funding and we were asked if we would take over the last year of data collection.


Q: Does SCDNR offer any support at all?
A: Yes. But not with money or equipment. They graciously answer our many questions, identify species of by-catch, and most importantly, teach us the scientific method of accurately collecting data.


Q: What does it take to collect data?
A: Boat, engine, traps, buoys, bait, fuel, oil, general maintenance, decent weather, as well as time and muscle. Lot and lots of muscle.


Q: How often do you check the traps?
A: We use different soak times to discern different results. 3 days / 7 days / 10 days


Q: How many crabs do you catch per trap?
A: That also varies with soak time, location, and bait. Typically we will get 5 to 9 per trap.


Q: Do you catch anything else in the traps?
A: Yes, but not as much as you might suspect. Our by-catch is generally blue crab, spider crabs, dog fish, carolina hake, etc.