Velvet crab, Scottish Waters, Creel Fishery

Velvet crab in Scottish waters, has been scored a very high risk. This is because fishing mortality has been above Fmsy in recent years in most assessment areas, no precautionary limits have been defined and there are no reliable indicators or proxies of abundance in most assessment areas.  

Velvet crab in Scottish waters, has been scored a very high. This is because data is limited in several of the assessment areas required to develop any management measures, and there is no control of fishing effort.  

The bycatch risk of this fishery has been scored as low risk. This is because whilst discarding of undersized and unwanted crabs and lobster occurs, these are released alive on hauling and survival rates are high. Catch of protected, endangered and threatened species is minimal.  “Ghost fishing” by lost pots is not considered to be a problem.

The habitat risk of this fishery has been scored as low risk. This is because although the gear touches the seafloor it is unlikely to have a significant effect on habitats.