New controls intended to improve the sustainability and management of Scotland’s crab and lobster fisheries have been introduced following a public consultation.
With effect from 25 February, the minimum landing sizes for crab and lobster have been increased as follows:
- Brown crab from 130/140mm to 150mm (excluding Shetland)
- Velvet crab from 65mm to 70mm
- Lobster from 87mm to 88mm on the west coast, from Cape Wrath to latitude 55 degrees north (increasing again to 90mm from 25 February 2019)
Additionally, the maximum landing size of female lobster has decreased to 145mm (excluding Orkney and Shetland), and the landing of berried (egg bearing) velvet crab is prohibited.
“Lobster and crab are important to Scotland’s rural economy and coastal communities, with landings in 2016 worth more than GBP 35 million (USD 49.2 million, EUR 39.9 million),” said Fergus Ewing, Scotland’s rural economy secretary.
“The new measures are being put in place to help our inshore fisheries sector to become more sustainable, profitable, and better managed – as set out in our Inshore Fisheries Strategy."
