Crab (a)
This is a photograph (a toned cyanotype) of a crab claw out of a wind sock, flying on the North Yorkshire Coast, it is acting as a warning around ocean health, especially after the significant die-off of crustaceans including crabs along the North Yorkshire and Teeside coast in 2021
Artist: Martha Cattell
Fish Profile
Crab
Brown Crab - Cancer pagurus
Conservation status
Although not classified as endangered there are big concerns about stocks of Brown Crab and their overfishing.
The MCS only rate 1 area as Best Choice with 25 other fishing areas as In Need of Improvement and 3 areas to be Avoided.
Here is a typical summary of one of the areas of concern: ‘There is concern for the stock level and concern for the fishing level of brown crab in the Central North Sea. Some national management measures are in place, however, they are not effective in managing the stock and effort controls are needed’.
The Cornwall Wildlife Trust also have concerns over the sustainability of Crab fishing:
‘The latest stock assessment from CEFAS (2023), shows that fishing mortality is above maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and within limit reference points, and is decreasing towards more sustainable levels. Biomass is below MSY and within limit reference points, but is decreasing towards unsustainable levels.’