Spider Crab take size

[Wally8890]

Hi everyone! I'v been trying my best to google the size a spider crab has to be to take from West Wales but cant find anything of use. Iv seen a few on recent dives and would like to try one but obviously dont want to take one that is under or over the regulation size.
Anyone know what the size is? any advice would be really apreciated.
Cheers,
Richard

 

[superdude171]

Hi there, I'm not sure if this link will work but here goes. http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/fisheries/documents/fisheries/minimumfishsizes.pdf

It says the minimum for male spider crabs (the only ones worth taking) is 130mm. However, this is very small and a crab of this size will have very little meat on it. Usually I wont take spider crabs below 200mm. At this size I have to use two hands to be able to grip them, They would weigh about 4-5lbs at this size and this gives only around half a pound of meat. Hope this helps, Happy hunting.

Greg.

 

[Wally8890]

Thanks for the quick reply greg, the link worked fine. The ones iv seen have been around 180 - 200mm so thats good news!
All the best,
Richard