Cart

[Northumberland IFCA]

Use of Edible Crab as Bait

Use of Edible Crab as Bait

Dear Members,

Regarding your recent posts about the new NIFCA Byelaw relating to the use of edible crab (Cancer pagurus) for bait; we would like to clarify that these Byelaws have been made by NIFCA but have not yet been signed off/finalised by the Fisheries Minister/DEFRA.

IT IS THEREFORE STILL NOT PERMITTED TO USE EDIBLE CRAB AS BAIT.

To avoid any further confusion, the wording on our website will be amended at the first available opportunity.

We hope the new Byelaws will be signed off/finalised as soon as possible and we will publicise that at the time.

 

[Holl5080]

I appreciate that it has gone for review. I really don't see why DEFRA need to get involved. Cart is made from legal sized crabs caught legally and sold legally for food. It is not a new fishery. It does not put any pressure on current stocks as these crabs have already been caught for consumption. As for the fisheries minister getting involved I doubt it! I'm sure they have bigger fish to fry (pardon the pun).

Nearly every other regional fisheries authority allows for this. Why is it such a problem to change your own byelaw? And why is it taking so long? There is actually an argument that allowing the use of cart would help relieve pressure on some bait stocks that are completely unregulated (ie lug beds and peeler). After all we are talking about a waste product!!! Many will not be bothered about the byelaw and fish with it anyway so I don't understand why this has become an issue. Maybe you could explain the logic or reason behind this byelaw?

 

[Muad_Dib]

Fair enough.

 

[Northumberland IFCA]

Thanks for your recent post. The current byelaw was made by the Sea Fisheries Committee long before Northumberland IFCA came into being. This is therefore an out of date legacy byelaw and any byelaw changes which IFCAs make must be approved by DEFRA. That involves a legal process which is quite lengthy and not straight forward. NIFCA agrees with what you say about legalising cart and confirm again that we are working to bring in that change as soon as possible.”

 

[g.ordon]

Unbelievable. All that cost for a bit of stinkin crab

 

[james89]

Thanks for clearing that one up.

Has defra got a deadline to sign the byelaws?

 

[TerryC]

I have done a fair bit of reading around the subject of the lifecycle and habits of crabs on our shoreline. A brief summary of the brown crab can be seen here;

Edible Crab Cancer Pagurus

All our native crabs follow a similar cycle at a similar time of year. Eggs of crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters) are mainly made up of lipids(fats) and protein. This is what the larvae inside lives off before hatching. It's also highly nutritional to any predator (in a similar way to how we drink milk/eat eggs). When the female fertilises the eggs in the autumn it is likely that they have a scent/pheromones that predators (like cod) can detect in the water. This fish are then 'switched on' to looking for this highly nutritious food source.This is why the female crabs dig burrows or hide under rocks during this process - they are vulnerable to predation. It also explains why cart is so effective in the autumn as it is a good source that cod are actively seeking out. It may also explain why cart isn't as successful when crabs are not carrying eggs (as the fish aren't looking for or expecting it - although I'm sure they would take it under their nose).

Interesting. The original intent of the pheromone would be for the male crabs of course. I would expect the cooking process to degrade or extract a significant portion of the pheromones, as they must be water soluble or at least dispersable. Makes me think the water these crabs might make a good additive if reduced and concentrated.