Crab Pots

[CaptainBob]

What's the etiquette and legalities of non commercial crab potting?

 

[Bilgediver]

Share and share alike with your dockmates then they won t split on you..

 

[timtap]

Keep schtum !!!

Fabulous Lobster At Mayflower Marina ,Plymouth ,Deep water outer Pontoons !!! Shhhhhh !!!

 

[EdWingfield]

I believe we are allowed up to five.

Don't put them where the commercial boys work or they'll be cut.

 

[samwise]

Re legalities, you should be aware of legal minimum sizes for any shellfish you might catch. Just in case the local DEFRA inspector decides to take a look.

 

[wotayottie]

Not yet had a problem but have always put them in clear view of where we anchored.

Not bothered about size - the small ones cooked and mashed make great tasting crab bisque. In fact I prefer them to the big edibles - not that you get to chose.

 

[Scillypete]

Read through the bye laws here To find allowable sizes of Crabs (male and female differ) and lobsters. Six pots is as many as you should need without a license, mark 'em well and remember where you left 'em. Do not take berried lobsters always return them. Do not land lobsters with a 'V' notch in the tail, substantial fine if caught. Do not be tempted to take an undersized lobster just because its the only one you caught, put it back or get a substantial fine if caught. 95mm from the back of the eye socket to the end of the carapace is the size limit here, but check for any local differences. Male and female edible crabs have different size limits as measured across the body. Do not take just the claws and throw the rest back, it is now an illegal practice, not to mention a massive waste.
Only two lobsters can be landed by an unlicensed individual at any one time, otherwise you are considered to be fishing commercially.

Hope that is of some help, enjoy your fishing, I find a nice chilled chardonnay or muscadet goes really well with lobster.