UK Seafood Fund – Science & Innovation Pillar - Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) Research Proposal Development - Investigation into the potential of an east-coast stone crab fishery

Project Description

Recent media interest resulting from the initial mis-identification of a stone crab, Lithodes maja, as a king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus, a high value invasive crab species known to be found in Norwegian waters) raised the profile of this species locally and led to small quantities being landed on the East Coast being recognised. Stone crabs, like spider crabs, have a high market value and could be a welcome opportunity for diversification of the potting fleet along the East Coast where species targeted by static gear fishers is limited. Although they have been landed and sold in small quantities, previously any landings would have been just recorded as “crab” and so there is limited data on their distribution and abundance.

In order to assess the potential of a stone crab fishery we will do a desk study of what is known of this species in terms of its biology, ecology and reproduction as well as the current fisheries in Europe and across the world. We will consult with fishers along the coast to try and assess what quantities of stone crab have been landed locally over the last few years. We also want to assess the availability of data relating to its known distribution in the North Sea and its likely distribution based on environmental parameters. Knowledge of current fisheries, targeting similar species, elsewhere will inform some preliminary trials of pots along the east coast. Gear development for these trials will be done in consultation with fishers.

Having assessed the likely population of crabs along the east coast, in terms of numbers and whether they could form a sustainable fishery, we will develop a plan for a full scale population and potential fishery assessment to be done along the North East coast with a consortium of fishers who will be identified as part of the preliminary study.