Based on limited data, there is concern for fishing pressure and biomass of velvet crabs in Northern Ireland. Velvet crabs also have medium vulnerability to fishing pressure. Management requires considerable improvement. Further data is needed to reliably assess biomass and responsive effort controls are needed to improve velvet crab stocks around Northern Ireland. Velvet crabs are usually caught as bycatch in the potting fishery for brown crab and lobster. Crab pots have low seabed impacts when deployed and retrieved correctly.Rating last updated November 2025.

Velvet crabs have a medium vulnerability to fishing. This species is data limited but current assessments indicate a concern for fishing pressure. As there is a lack of biomass data, there is also a concern for biomass. Management requires considerable improvement. Further data is needed to reliably assess biomass and responsive effort controls are needed to improve velvet crab stocks around Scotland. Potting, or creeling, for velvet crab, is associated with negligible bycatch and habitat impacts but may result in the entanglement of marine mammals in this area.Rating last updated November 2025.

Based on limited data, there is no concern for fishing pressure or biomass for velvet crabs in Shetland. Velvet crabs also have medium vulnerability to fishing pressure. Some appropriate management measures are in place, such as a minimum landing size, restrictions on landing soft-shelled or berried crabs, licence requirements, and effort controls. However, without fishery-independent assessments, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain. Potting, or creeling, for velvet crab, is associated with negligible bycatch and habitat impacts but may result in the entanglement of marine mammals in this area.Rating last updated November 2025

This stock is data limited and the status of the velvet crab stocks in England, Wales and the Isle of Man are currently unknown. There is concern for biomass and no concern for fishing pressure. Some management measures are in place, but their effectiveness cannot be fully assessed due to limited data. A minimum landing size is enforced, and certain management authorities may have gear specifications, regulations, and catch limits in place. Velvet crabs are usually caught as bycatch in the potting fishery for brown crab and lobster. Crab pots have low seabed impacts when deployed and retrieved correctly.Rating last updated November 2025.

For more information about this rating please visit: http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fish-guide/velvet-crab.php