Can you help with our Crab Count?
Estuaries are important habitats for crabs and we want to find out more about the crabs living here in the Fowey Estuary, in terms of their species type and population sizes.
So, if you’re crabbing or rockpooling, we’d like to know more about what you find!
Crabs are common in estuaries and can be found hiding under rocks or seaweed and can be easily enticed by a baited crab line dangled in shallow waters.
They are scavengers and will feast on most things they come across, including fish, shellfish, smaller crabs and the bacon scraps which are often used as crabbing bait.
We think the crabs populations in our estuaries might be changing and this could be because of variations in food, habitats and water temperatures, but we need to collect more data to find out more and how to protect them.
What do we want to know?
Fill in the online form below to tell us about:
– the types of crab
– the numbers of crabs
– how you found or caught them
– how long it took
– anything else you caught
Please note – Your data will remain anonymous and will be used in this citizen science project and also in future crab population studies.
Green Shore Crab
Normally a green or orange colour on their underside, the different colourations are related to the crab’s age and whether it is breeding season.
Its shell (carapace) width can be up to 9cm and it can be identified by the pattern of spikes on its shell, with five upturned spikes on each side of the carapace and 3 rounded lobes between the eyes (5,3,5)
Scientific name: Carcinus maenas
Edible or Brown Crab
On rocky shores, they are normally hidden away under boulders.
They are brown in colour apart from black tips on the end of its claws.
They have a thick, oval shaped shell with a distinctive crimped pie crust edge.
Scientific name: Cancer pagarus
Velvet Swimming Crab
Their body is covered in short hairs that give a velvet appearance.
Like all swimming crabs, their rear-most legs are flattened like paddles, helping them swim. They also have blue lines on their legs and blueish tips to their strong claws. Its shell can be up to 10cm across.
Scientific name: Necora puber
Furrowed or Montagu's Crab
It is yellowish to brown and grows to a shell width of 7cm.
There are five blunt spikes on either side of the eyes and the ends of the claws have distinctive dark tips.
This species is a climate-change indicator and their range is extending north and east with warming seas.
Scientific name: Xantho hydrophilus
Stay Safe & Follow the Crabbing Code
All children must be accompanied whilst crabbing and we advise that lifejackets or buoyancy aids should be worn.
Please have respect for the crabs and other creatures that you catch and return them safely once you’ve finished.
Take a look at our Crabbing Code for more information.
Did you know?
Berried Crab
Females carry the fertilised eggs with them to protect them from predators.
A female with eggs is known as “berried”.
Crab Hacker Barnacle
The parasite appears as a mass under the crab’s abdomen and as the crab has stopped moulting, it’s shell colour can be dark orange with the addition of white keel worms.