So that everyone can enjoy crabbing we have put together some guidelines that we hope will make your activity enjoyable.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do… Act responsibly when crabbing, the best places, depending on the tide, are the new Jetty outside Colne Yacht Club, Splash Point, Bateman’s Tower, or along the wall between the two alongside the Paddling Pool.

Don’t… block the promenade if you are on, remember other users will need to get past you.

Don’t… put too many crabs in one bucket. Stick to 10 per pail.

Do… add rocks and seaweed to the bucket to help replicate the crab’s natural environment and reduce stress.

Don’t… keep them all day long – return them to sea, gently please.

Do… change the water every 10 minutes to avoid asphyxiation. Only keep the crabs in sea water.

Don’t… store your bucket in the sun.

Don’t… use a line with a hook on. Either tie your bacon on or use an old pair of tights/bit of net to hold your bacon in.

Do… hold your crab correctly – gently hold it either side of its shell or pick it up with one finger on top of the shell and one finger underneath – avoiding the claws though!

Do… remove any crabs which are fighting – male crabs tend to be more aggressive than the ladies.

Do… remember to take all your equipment and rubbish home with you. Discarded crabbing line can get caught around our seagulls and other wildlife, best to deposit them into the bins provided.

Do… go crabbing. When done responsibly, crabbing is an excellent way to introduce children and the not so young to the marine ecology.

Happy crabbing!

Crabbing equipment is available from many places in town, including:

French Marine

Spar

Co-Op

Bargain Stores

Seaside Corner

Spirals