Mel Smith photographed this red Crab, which was inadvertently caught by a fisherman at the end of the Point Arena Pier.

I sent Mel’s photo to Carol Preston of NOAA. She wrote back, “It’s a Kelp Crab, Pugettia producta. It has two color morphs, red or olive green. This is a red color morph.” Mel said he has seen the green ones, but this is his first sighting of a red Kelp Crab.

Thanks to Carol for her expertise, and thanks to Mel for allowing me to share his photo with you here.