No, I currently have it. I got it back already in perfect shape

I see. I was just highlighting that "inedible" and "invasive" are two different adjectives. They both apply here, but that may not always be the case.

Just do it anyways who gives a fuck, the world is ending nobody cares

Sadly, lowlife opportunists are everywhere. Hope you get it back and in good condition.

Understood, but if you look at the MA Division of Marine Fisheries pages they refer to them as "inedible invasive species" on one document I looked at and on another talk about "other edible crabs" then after it invasive crabs, kind of implying again that they do not consider them a food animal so not regulated under the same permitting as you get for lobsters and blue crabs.

I’m sorry you had to go through that, and I hope you keep getting serious and helpful replies only. You already have a couple of good suggestions, and the only thing I can add is that if you have homeowners or renters insurance, they generally cover theft outside of the home as well. Depends on the policy, and if they require you to register specific items above a certain value, and definitely depends on your deductible or potential rate increases as to whether it makes financial sense. Good luck 🍀

Yeah, government agencies are not the best on clarity. They should simply define it as animals native to the area are regulated and invasive species are not and leave off the edible vs. non-edible verbiage since they are using those incorrectly.

In Mass these homes are all over the place. “Historical” is irrelevant with the construction. If you get someone who has experience and been an inspector for some years I’d feel pretty good. I like the old homes, if they are still kicking it means it’s unlikely to fall down now usually haha

Appreciate the insight! I figured as much, but I’m moving from out of state and while I lived in a 100 year old home, pre-Revolutionary war seems like it may be a different animal.

Check Facebook market and Craigslist for someone selling it. Check local pawnshops as well. File police report.

Any home inspector in Mass deals with historical homes. Get a good referral from your realtor or friends or Google is a good help too. Hopefully some on here have some recs, unfortunately I am too far east I don’t think my recommendations would want to go out that far

No doubt some thug has sold it by now

Id go for some deep fryed green crab. I envison eating it out of a paper cone on the beach.

they make for great stock. The meat tastes very similar to blue crab, but the crabs are smaller so there's more effort in shelling them

taking off their legs and deep frying them is also very delicious. The shell becomes crispy and you can eat the whole thing

This channel did a great catch and cook green crab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa1VvkZzwhE

That sucks. Fingers crossed for you that you are able to find it.

Invasive means they were taking over habitat from non native species. Don't think it has anything to do with whether they are edible.

They are edible but small so a pita to eat. Plus I’m told they’re not very appetizing

Thats so not clear, lol. Like they should promote it as the new food for NE, then every one will eat them and native pops can recover

They are, but I think in this context MA is saying only native crabs as food needs to be controlled/restricted. Where as invasive means non-edible in that they are not regulated by the Division of Marine Fisheries as a food source that needs to be protected or controlled

No i mean, why cant they be eaten? Is it tast are they contaminated, whats the issue

Everything is edible at least once

I thought they were edible... im confused

Can't get a response from either the phone number or that email address for the past two months. Just called the New Bedford DMF office and they're sending me an application!

I've never heard of a license to harvest green crabs, they are invasive. Take as many as you want

Source: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dmf-staff-directory

This is public government-listed information, so that's why it is OK to post the phone and email. OP is being helpful.

(Take my upvote and my award)