SFPA inshore patrols to focus on shellfish size and crab declawing
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority will shortly recommence its seasonal inshore patrols. This year, the authority will be particularly targeting the practice of crab declawing, as well as compliance with regulations regarding the sizes of crab, lobster and whelk that can be harvested.
Since 1 January 2015, national regulations on lobster sizes have included a maximum1 and minimum size, in recognition of the important role that very large lobster play in the reproductive potential of stocks. Regulations governing size are part of a range of conservation measures to help secure the long-term sustainability of Ireland’s valuable crab, lobster and whelk fisheries.
The sale of lobsters with carapaces greater than 127mm in size is now prohibited. The carapace is the largest segment of a lobster
Regulations are already in place regarding the minimum size that can be harvested ― to ensure these species can reach maturity and have an opportunity to reproduce at least once and contribute to the next generation. Only lobsters with carapaces greater than 87mm in length can be fished while there are two legal minimum landing sizes: 130mm and 140mm for Irish brown crab² depending on where fishing is taking place.
Declawing³ of crabs meanwhile is another important threat to Ireland’s crab stocks. The illegal practice involves one or both claws of a live crab being pulled off manually. The crab is then usually returned to the water where it effectively can starve to death as it can no longer feed itself.
“The inshore fleet is the backbone of many Irish coastal communities with the inshore fisheries contributing most significantly to the livelihoods of the largest number of Irish fishermen. Considerable work is being done at national and regional levels through the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and the network of Regional Inshore Forums to develop these fisheries,” remarked Susan Steele, SFPA chair.
She added that the SFPA “is committed to creating a level playing field” and supporting a culture where compliance is the norm.
“We know from the SPFA Consultative Committee the important role that a targeted inshore compliance strategy can play in supporting the sustainable management of these fisheries and helping to safeguard their future for the benefit of consumers, producers and, importantly, the coastal communities.”
The inshore patrols will continue until October/November, weather permitting, and are being undertaken with the support of Inland Fisheries Ireland as well as the Naval Service and Air Corps.
In 2014 the SFPA under undertook 20 inshore patrols across the south, west and northwest coasts during which it inspected 82 vessels.The infringements identified by SFPA officers included discovery of undersize lobster and crayfish following keep pot⁴ inspections. Illegal salmon nets were also located in three areas, which were hauled by officers and passed to Inland Fisheries Ireland for further action.
Notes:
¹ The sale of lobsters with carapaces greater than 127mm¹ in size is now prohibited. The carapace is the largest segment of a lobster
² Crabs are measured across the widest part of their shell.
³ As well as being an animal welfare issue, the declawing of crabs can mask undersized catches where the bodies of the crabs are not available to measure
⁴Crab and lobster are fished using pots or creels that are baited and placed on the seabed. Many pots may be attached to a single string which is marked by a buoy at each end. The pots are allowed to soak for a number of days before being hauled.
It is common industry practice to store captured lobsters in ‘keep’ areas such as dedicated submerged cages or sea-water tanks, to facilitate viable storage of live animals to meet ongoing customer demand within an unpredictable catch patterns. Short-term storage is acceptable to SFPA but retention of undersized lobsters even if they are stored in a keep and not placed on the market, is not acceptable.
