What visual characteristic at the break point indicates potential improper temperature control immediately following stone crab harvest?

The edge where the claw was removed appears excessively mushy or wet.

While shell color can sometimes be misleading, experienced handlers and knowledgeable buyers look closely at the point of separation when assessing the freshness and prior handling of a stone crab claw. The physical condition of the exposed tissue where the claw was removed provides a key diagnostic clue regarding the maintenance of the cold chain. If the break point appears overly wet or notably mushy, this condition strongly suggests that the claw was not chilled rapidly enough after separation, allowing initial degradation and bacterial activity to begin prematurely. A clean, relatively dry break surface is the desired indicator of swift and correct post-harvest chilling procedures.