Irish Brown Crab
Fishery Improvement Project
Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus) is a very important fishery, particularly for the inshore fleet, right around the Irish coast.
Over 11,000 tonnes of Crab were landed in 2016 with a value of at least €16 million. Over 350 vessels participated in the fishery (Marine Institute Atlas of Commercial Shellfisheries, 2017) emphasising its importance to the inshore fleet.
The Irish Brown Crab FIP is focused on improving both the management and the value of the fishery. The work plan for 2019 includes elements aimed at managing effort, improving quality and industry working with scientists to improve our knowledge and management of the stock.
Why should I join?
FIPs can create two main positive outcomes for fishermen. The first is in improving the stock and many FIP actions are aimed at stock improvement such as by reducing the amount of white crab being landed or by developing a replacement Whelk bait and reducing pressure on Brown Crab.
The second main benefit is in improving market access and getting a better return for catches. Whether we like it or not the market for seafood is becoming increasingly demanding in terms of demonstrating that fisheries are either sustainable and well managed or on a path towards it. Irish seafood competes in markets with product sourced from MSC certified fisheries and FIPs.
Providence House,
Unit H1,
South Link Business Park,
T12CK77, Ireland
Office: +353 21 245 5670
Phone: +353 87 2591376
Email: info@irishbrowncrabfip.ie
Next Meeting of Crab FIP
The next meeting of the Irish Brown Crab Fishery Improvement Project will take place in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin from 10 to 12 on Wednesday the 26th June 2019. All members of the FIP are welcome to attend.
