Velvet crab closure 2022
Shetland creel men observe a summer ban on catching velvet crabs (Necora puber) as a conservation measure when the crabs moult and have soft shells.
To take account of slightly different moulting seasons, the closure begins with boats which fish off the west side of the islands. Their eight-week stoppage is followed consecutively by an eight-week closure for east side boats.
This year, on the west side it is prohibited to land velvets, keep them on the boat or to store them from Monday 13th June to Sunday 7th August. For east-side boats the dates are Monday 8th August to Sunday 2nd October.
The Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation has a map which divides inshore waters into squares and delineates which are west and east.