CRAB TAGGING PROGRAMME 2009

CRAB TAGGING PROGRAMME 2009

SWSFC have a Brown Crab Tagging Programme throughout the South Wales District.

The project was initiated to investigate movements and migrations of our Crab Stock, in response to a national decline in Brown Crab Landings. The programme complements the current CEFAS Brown Crab Tagging Programme in the English Channel, and it is hoped that the information gathered can be utilised to establish a more complete picture about the status of our Crab Stocks.

Brown Crabs are being tagged with yellow double T-bar tags, each of which has a unique number. Tagging is being conducted onboard participating commercial vessels and on the FPV Cranogwen.

Please see the additional information below, on the tagging programme and how to report recaptures of tagged crabs.

Or Click Here for a pdf version of the information

Many Thanks to all involved.

SWSFC have begun a Brown Crab Tagging Programme throughout South Wales. The programme is investigating the movements and migrations of Brown Crab and is complementary to a current CEFAS programme running in the English Channel and West Wales (www.cefas.co.uk) The project aims to tag and release up to 3600 crabs throughout the district.

The Crabs are tagged with yellow double T-bar tags that are inserted through the carapace and are retained through moulting. Each tag has a unique number e.g. SWSFC 0100 and have details on what information to record and a telephone number.

If you catch a tagged crab could you please record:

• The tag number
• Date and location of capture (Lat/long or landmark)
• Name and number of your vessel
• Carapace Width in millimeters (if possible)

A number of crabs have been tagged with 2 tags to investigate tag shedding rates. If you catch a double tagged crab please record BOTH tag numbers.

Recording forms are available on SWSFC website, but we would be happy to receive the information in anyway convenient to you (phone, email, text message, shellfish returns etc…