UK lobster and crab catches have significantly increased over the past 20 years, with Whitby landings rising by 380% since 2000. However, while lobster catches have remained stable, crab catches have declined in several areas, with an unexplained mortality event in Redcar-Hartlepool in 2022. Research on crab and lobster ecology is well-developed, but more data is needed for stock assessments, especially post-Brexit. Fishermen prefer regional management approaches over national quotas, and better understanding of environmental stressors, like disease and climate change, is crucial. Cross-sector collaboration and targeted stakeholder engagement are essential for the successful development of England’s Crab and Lobster Fisheries Management Plan, due for completion in 2023.