Coalition Launches Fisheries Improvement Project for Eastern Central North Sea Brown Crab Fishery

A coalition of British, Irish, and Polish fishing companies has come together to address the sharp decline in brown crab stocks in the Eastern Central North Sea. This decline, which has been observed since 2019, has raised concerns among industry stakeholders about the sustainability of the fishery.

Recent assessments by the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science have highlighted the pressing need for action to reverse the downward trend in brown crab populations. The increased market demand for this valuable species has put additional pressure on the already vulnerable stocks.

David Markham, the FIP chair and managing director of Blue Sea Food Company, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The decline in brown crab stocks is not yet fully understood. Possible causes include increased fishing effort, the impacts of other fisheries on crab grounds, or environmental changes such as rising sea water temperatures due to climate change.”

To address these challenges, the coalition has launched a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) managed by AC Marine Consultants. The FIP will focus on data collection and the development of new management controls to ensure the long-term sustainability of the brown crab fishery.

One of the key challenges facing the project is the need to coordinate with authorities from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, as the fishery spans multiple jurisdictions. However, with the support of industry leaders like Macduff Shellfish Scotland, Blue Sea Food Company, and Sea Farms, the coalition is confident in its ability to overcome these obstacles.

Alex Caveen, the FIP project manager, expressed optimism about the project’s potential, stating, “Given the high level of interest from catching operators and the relatively small number of vessels in the fishery, there is a real opportunity to reach consensus on effective management measures.”

The initiative, which began in December, aims to qualify for the Marine Stewardship Council’s improvement program by early 2027. The first phase of the project will involve analyzing catch and landings data from participating vessels to inform a comprehensive stock monitoring strategy.