Few appropriate management measures are in place, and their effectiveness cannot be fully assessed due to limited data. A UK minimum landing size is enforced, but is below estimates for maturity.Due to a lack of data about the species biomass, it is not possible to assess whether current fishing levels are sustainable. Considerable improvements are needed including regular stock assessments for spider crab to guide management.There is a Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS) of 130 mm carapace length for males, and 120 mm for females, with spider crabs required to be landed whole. This is below maturity estimates of 136.5 mm for males, and 130.3 mm for females. Also, it is likely that this standard size does not optimise reproduction and landings as some stocks mature smaller and some larger than this size. There are no closed seasons, prohibitions for taking berried or moulting crabs or maximum size limit in place.Additional protection may exist in inshore areas, where local byelaws and regulations apply. For example, Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCA) have a MCRS of 130 mm for both sexes and have permit conditions to net for spider crabs. Similarly, Southern IFCA have regulations surrounding net fishing, including prohibited areas. There may also be overlap with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which impose further restrictions on fishing effort, gear, and landings to support habitats and commercial species. All vessels registered in the UK must have a domestic fishing vessel license to fish within the UK EEZ for sea fish that will be sold. No new licenses are being issued. All commercial vessels under 10m, with a shellfish license, are required to complete Monthly Shellfish Activity Return (MSAR) forms for the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). These must include the catch and retained weight each day along with the date, name of the vessel, vessel registration number, gear type, area and port of landing. All vessels over 10m do not need to complete MSAR as they will be completing an EU logbook of catches. For all vessels, effort is reported as days fished, and not as pots fished. The Marine Conservation Society views Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) with cameras is one of the most cost-effective tools for providing reliable fisheries data and aiding informed management decisions. Fully monitored fisheries enhance collaboration, data accuracy, stock recovery, and reduce impacts on marine wildlife and habitats. However, the full potential of REM may only be achieved when it tracks fishing location and documents catch and bycatch, particularly where vulnerable species and habitats are at risk. As of January 2024, the EU is introducing a Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) mandate for EU vessels, including CCTV cameras on vessels 18m or more that pose a potential risk of non-compliance, within the next 4 years. Across the UK, different approaches to REM are being taken and legislation is expected to be in place across all 4 countries within the next few years.The Fisheries Act (2020) requires the development of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) (replacing EU Multi-Annual Plans) in the UK. 43 FMPs have been proposed and are at various stages of development and implementation, these should all be published by the end of 2028. FMPs have the potential to be very important tools for managing UK fisheries, although data limitations may delay them for some stocks. It is also essential the UK governments define and adopt a standardised approach or model across the four nations to a universally defined FMP design, to ensure the consistence, quality and coherence of all the proposal FMPs.The Marine Conservation Society is keen to see publicly available Fishery Management Plans for all commercially exploited stocks, especially where stocks are depleted, that include:An overview of the fishery including current stock status, spatial coverage, current fishing methods and impactsTargets for fishing pressure and biomass, and additional management when those targets are not being met, based on the best scientific evidenceTimeframes for stock recoveryImproved data collection, transparency, and accountability, supported by technologies such as Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM)Consideration of wider environmental impacts of the fishery, including habitat impacts and minimising bycatchStakeholder engagementA Crab and Lobster FMP has been proposed, coordinated by Defra, which incorporates this species. At the time of writing, it is too soon to know whether proposed management measures will be effective in managing the stock. For more information about this FMP and expected progress and timelines, see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-fisheries-statement-jfs/list-of-fisheries-management-plans
