“MAJOR concern” over the decline of two important shellfisheries has been laid bare in a new report about Jersey’s marine environment and fishing economy.
The continued drop in the annual landed weight of lobster and brown crab was noted in the latest annual report by Marine Resources.
A total of 65,110kg of lobster was landed commercially in 2024, compared to 109,101kg just two years earlier.
The amount of brown crab landed fell from 113,055kg to 55,370kg over the same period.
“The annual landed weight for lobster and brown crab continues to decline which, given their economic dominance, is a major concern,” the report stated.
“In contrast, spider crab and scallop landings have increased steeply due to their abundance.”
Last year saw the minimum landing size for lobster raised from 87mm to 88mm as part of wider plans to gradually raise the landing size to 90mm.
Last month, States Members approved the second phase – which will see it rise to 89mm.
Environment Minister Steve Luce told States Members that: “The use of minimum size restrictions on the landing, sale and retention of fish is a tried and tested method employed by fisheries managements across the world.”
He continued: “The rationale is simple, in that the minimum size allows the species to reproduce at least once – but often multiple times – before they’re caught in a fishery.
“It works particularly well with shellfish that are robust and have a high survival level after capture and release.”
Deputy Luce described lobsters as “the mainstay of our commercial fleet” and part of Jersey’s “cultural and culinary identity”.
“Lobster fishing had a boom between 2017 and 2019, when nearly every other pot would produce a lobster that could be landed for sale,” he added.
“However, now catch levels have returned to those of a decade ago, when only one in six pots now have a lobster to land.
“Working with representatives of the commercial and recreational fishing fleets, and with Marine Resources officers, a suite of management measures has been proposed to safeguard and rebuild the stock.”
