Spider crab off UK coasts, tangle nets

Spider crab off UK coasts has been scored a high risk. There are difficulties of finding an easily monitored and reliable indicator of stock status so abundance trends are unknown. Growth rates are uncertain but the minimum conservation reference size (minimum landing size) is potentially instrumental in conserving spawning stock.

The management of spider crab off West and South west UK coasts has been scored a moderate risk. This is because the management control in place, the minimum conservation reference size (minimum landing size), is rational in relation to the life-history of the species. Whilst this measure is enforced there is no monitoring of stock status.

The bycatch risk for this fishery has been assessed as a moderate risk. Discards are low, but there is risk of capture of some Endangered, Threatened or Protected (ETP) species, some of which have healthy populations, whilst there is more uncertainty about other populations. Mitigating measures are in place in the vessels > 12 m for harbour porpoise bycatch.

The habitat impact of the tangle net fishery has been scored a very low risk. This is because set gillnets have relatively little impact on the seabed compared to other fishing activities. Lost or abandoned gillnets can get entangled on habitat features and weights can cause surface penetration of the seabed. Some spatial management is in place to protect vulnerable areas.