And what are the male crabs looking for?

When a female Sacculina is implanted in a male crab it will interfere with the crab's hormonal balance.

"No, I think it was a jolly sort of male crab, Columbine."

The male crabs, or the No.1-Jimmys, are the preferred crabs.

This week he'll be getting in male blue crabs from Maryland to go with the sweet corn he sells fresh nearly year-round.

The council, an advisory group made up of commercial fishermen and scientists, suggested last month that the state limit the catch to male crabs.

"You're going to raise a flag with a male crab on it and commit treason?"

The snow crab grows slowly and is structured according to its size, with at least 11 recognised stages of growth for male crabs.

The male crabs are usually twice the size of the female crabs.

Hard male crabs bring $40 a bushel; females bring $20.