Crab clawing: reprehensible, incomprehensible and defies logic
Norah Parke, KFO
All bona fide brown crab fishermen will welcome the recent statement from the SFPA regarding its upcoming schedule of inshore patrols if only for its intention to eliminate the reprehensible practice of clawing crab.
This completely crazy action of pulling off crab claws and discarding the crab body is incomprehensible. Why do some fishermen think it is acceptable to destroy the livelihood of others – probably their neighbours – so that they can land a box of crab claws?
Is it stupidity or ignorance or as simple as lack of adequate storage on their boat? Do they not have a buyer for whole crab? Are there buyers who deliberately buy crab claws? Many questions but who has the answers?
Poor reputation
Of course not all crab bodies are discarded; sometimes the crab bodies are packed and stored separately and make their way into the bait trade. Unfortunately, Ireland has already earned a reputation for supplying such undersize, poor quality bait which probably originates from the practice of clawing crab.
The entire fishing industry is struggling to come to grips with the introduction of the Landings Obligation with very few exceptions. One of those exceptions is crab; due to the case made that crab not fit for market is returned alive to sea, the ‘no discards’ rule does not apply.
Should the current level of crab clawing be subject to greater scrutiny, that slight advantage might be lost. Similarly, the Seafood Standard developed by industry and BIM at considerable cost, could be completely compromised along with the status of the ACRUNET Transnational Brown Crab Standard.
The many good reasons why clawing crabs should not be condoned are regularly reported, they include: poor quality; damage to reputation; a cover for undersized crab; health hazard; spreads disease in the crab population, the list goes on.
Rising anger
There is however a ground swell of anger growing among crab fishermen who are reminded on a daily basis when they haul pots full of de-clawed crab. Nobody likes to be constrained by rules and regulations but when the SFPA inspect responsible, compliant fishermen this season, it will be largely down to those at sea who have no respect for an industry working might and main to improve quality, keep stocks sustainable and cling on to whatever economic viability remains.
Now is the time for all those with the best interests of the brown crab industry at heart to come together and support efforts at all levels: fishermen, buyers, processors and State agencies to eliminate this unacceptable practice for good.
Next time you’re enjoying crab claws in your local restaurant, ask the provenance of the product, and if you know this de-clawing is going on, contact your local SFPA officer in confidence:
Castletownbere: 027 70439; [email protected]
Ros an Mhil: 091 572405 [email protected]
Killybegs: 074 973 1264 [email protected]
Dunmore East: 051 383135 [email protected]
An Daingean: 066 915 2122 [email protected]
Cork, Mahon: 021 451 5439 sfpa@[email protected]
Howth: 01 8321910 [email protected]
FMC Ireland: 021 437 8752 [email protected]
