Crab (b)
HORRIBLE CREATURES
Mixed Media on paper 60cm x52cm (24” x 20”)
Opening paragraph of ‘Horrible Creatures’ published in May 2021
Horrible Creatures
“Touch it”, he says. There, in his blue rubber-gloved hand, is a crab. Its antennae flick to
sniff while its rolling red eyes scope its surroundings. Its pinkie-like pincers waver. Its jointed
legs are poised but its zig-zag striped paddles stay flat. It seems dis-orientated and uncertain.
My fingertip hovers over its mottled brown shell. I touch it and feel an unexpected velvety
fuzz. A buzzcut! I stroke its pelt. The tiny, soft, close-knit bristles ebb and flow. Its mechanical
mouthparts move frantically. Is it purring? Its ruby eyes are like harbour warning lights. Our
gazes intersect. What does it see? Is it staring or glaring?
“Horrible creatures,” grins the fisherman, putting the crab into an orange plastic crate on
the quayside for the start of its two day journey from Scotland to Spain.
Read More https://scot-cont-phil.org/2021/05/18/horrible-creatures/
HORRIBLE CREATURES
Mixed Media on paper 60cm x52cm (24” x 20”)
Artist: Cally Nurse
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.’