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.
Scotland’s Seas: An Environmental and Economic Opportunity
Scotland’s seas are six times larger than our land area and among the most ecologically important in the world. They support internationally important marine wildlife, globally significant ecosystems and the coastal economies that depend upon them.
16 September 2026
