The Channel Clinging Crab (Mithrax spinosissimus), also known as the Caribbean King Crab or West Indian Spider Crab, is a large, spiny crab native to the Western Atlantic, particularly the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the southeastern coast of the United States. This species is prized for its sweet, delicate meat and plays a modest but growing role in regional fisheries. The primary countries involved in the harvesting of Channel Clinging Crab are the United States (notably Florida), the Bahamas, Cuba, and other Caribbean nations such as Jamaica and Puerto Rico. While not as heavily targeted as blue crab or king crab, the Channel Clinging Crab is collected both for local consumption and the specialty seafood market, often by divers or traps in shallow reef environments. Sustainable management is increasingly important as demand rises, with some countries implementing size and catch limits to protect populations and reef ecosystems.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guadeloupe | 1 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.