- Better Choice
- Spanner crab stocks are considered healthy in QLD.
- Spanner crabs are caught in pots, which have minimal impacts on marine habitats.
- Threatened species interactions are minimal and bycatch of other species is low.
- QLD Spanner Crab Fishery (1,275t 2011)
Spanner crab populations are considered healthy in QLD. Stock status is monitored by assessment of the size of crabs caught and the rate at which they’re caught. Fisheries records show that the size and rate of spanner crabs caught has been stable for over a decade, indicating there are no sustainability concerns over stock status.
Spanner crabs are caught using pots, which have minimal impacts on ocean habitats. Crab pots are lowered to the seafloor and rest in place until they are lifted up for harvest.
Crab pots are a targeted method of fishing that results in low bycatch and minimal interactions with threatened species. Most of the bycatch is undersized crabs, other invertebrates and fish, which can be released alive.