Brown Crab (Edible Crab)
Crustacean
A large, heavy crab with a distinctive reddish-brown, pie-crust-edged shell and prominent black-tipped claws — the UK's main commercially fished crab species.
Facts
- The UK's most commercially valuable crab, landed in huge numbers around the coast for the table.
- Can live for well over 10 years and grow considerably larger than the common shore crab.
- The black claw tips are a reliable way to identify it even in murky water or low light.
UK fishing rules
Minimum landing size for brown crab is 130-160mm carapace width depending on region (many English IFCAs set 130-140mm; some, like Cornwall, are higher) — check your local IFCA byelaw before keeping any, and always return berried (egg-carrying) females.
Where to catch Brown Crab (Edible Crab) (1 mark)
| Mark | Region | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells-next-the-Sea Quay & Beach | East | Apr–Sept | Baited hand-lines off the quay wall — the town's signature activity, kit hire available on the quay |