14th August 2007
New Brighton shore crabs.
What appears on the face of it to be a harmless childish bit of fun could be an act of cruelty.
The Vicki Moore Foundation is asking the authorities to look into the fishing for crabs in the New Brighton Marina and area.
The crabs are caught by fastening a piece of bacon or other suitable substance on a piece of string and putting this in the water for the crabs to get hold of.
But what happens to the crabs after they are pulled out? Some are returned, after being handled and possibly damaged. Immature crabs should be returned unharmed.
Unfortunately with the best will in the world most of the crabs that are taken home are bound to die.
These crabs are what are known as shore crabs (Carcinus maenas). Although they can survive in salinities solution as low as 4 it is very doubtful if they will get the care they require.
They could also be breaking the law.
Edible crabs come under the DEFRA minimum sizes and as such you are liable for prosecution if a fisheries officer catches you with undersize crabs.
It is doubtful whether it is ethical to use animals as toys. These days we have access to so many forms of entertainment and don’t have to make animals suffer for our pleasure.