Top Jonah Crab Fishing Countries

The Jonah crab (*Cancer borealis*) is a robust, hard-shelled crustacean native to the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, primarily found along the eastern coast of North America from Newfoundland to Florida. Known for its sweet, tender meat, the Jonah crab has grown in commercial importance, especially as demand for crab has increased and other species, like the American lobster, have fluctuated in availability. The primary countries harvesting Jonah crab are the United States and Canada, with the U.S.—particularly the states of Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island—dominating the industry. Canadian fisheries, mainly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, also contribute to the catch. The Jonah crab fishery has expanded rapidly since the 1990s, often as a bycatch of the lobster industry, but it is now increasingly targeted due to its rising market value and culinary popularity.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.