What dismissive term was historically used for Jonah crabs in the New England fishery?
Answer
"trash fish"
Decades ago, before the culinary value of the Jonah crab was recognized, commercial fishermen in areas like New England often caught them incidentally. Because they were not the target species, such as American lobsters or Stone Crabs, and were seen as an obstacle to the main catch, they were frequently dismissed entirely. This perception led to them being referred to derogatorily as "trash fish," reflecting their low perceived value at the time they were considered bycatch.
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