Fisheries Research Services (FRS) today embarked on a major new research programme to enable a better understanding of the relationship between inshore and offshore crab stocks in waters to the north of Scotland. The project is one of a number funded under the Scottish Industry/Science Partnership (SISP) which ensures the sustainable harvesting of fish stocks.

Fish Update 27/08/2008

FRS scientists will tag and release 5,000 brown crabs within a year, with the intention of fishermen later reporting where and when these crabs are recaptured.

Dr Aileen Mill who is leading the tagging project at FRS said: "It will be very interesting to see where they turn up. We are learning a lot from the fishermen involved and their contributions are extremely valued. The success of the project is dependent on getting good tag return information and as many tag returns as possible."

Alan Coghill of the Orkney Fishermen's Association and Chairman of the Scottish Government Marine Directorate Crab and Lobster Strategy Group said: "Brown crab is a particularly important fishery for the north of Scotland and I am pleased the need for better biological information about the stocks is being addressed. This project has clear evidence of science and industry collaboration."

Fishermen catching tagged crabs are asked to record the tag number and colour, the date and the location of where the crab was caught (latitude and longitude), the sex of the animal and the carapace width. Also to note whether or not there is an additional cable tie tag on the claw. All validated tag returns will be entered into an annual draw with prize money totalling £500.

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