| Targeted fishing of the edible crab Cancer pagurus has progressively replaced that of overfished lobster and spiny lobster stocks. Over the past few years it has become a significant activity for small-scale fishing vessels from various harbours on the Channel and the Atlantic French coast. Official figures show that national landings amounted to 10,000 tonnes in 1980. In spite of this fishery being recent, drops in yield in some areas have brought about changes in the way it is exploited, with more distant fishing grounds and redeployments. This doctoral thesis study was conducted in relation with the Scientific and Technical Institute of Maritime Fisheries (ISTPM), contributing to the implementation of a rational edible crab management policy.... |
