Last updated: 16 December, 2024 @ 14:40
Minimum landing sizes for Brown Crab in Northern Ireland have been increased in an attempt to help improve numbers.
Legislation has been passed which sees the minimum landing size increase from 140mm to 150mm. Additionally, a complete ban on landing detached crab claws has also come into effect.
Fisheries minister Edwin Poots said: “I have listened to concerns from the catching sector and the scientific advice on the state of the Brown Crab stock and am introducing further measures to secure the long-term sustainability of this fishery for future generations.
“In terms of economic value, the edible brown crab fishery is the most important in Northern Ireland for our inshore fleet. Increasing the minimum landing size will allow crabs a further season to reproduce before they can be caught.”
Of the ban on landing detached Brown Crab claws, Edwin Poots said: “The complete ban on landing detached crab claws closes a loophole whereby the unscrupulous were able to take advantage of allowances to land claws that had accidentally broken off.”