More information

King crab

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
Second choice
Avoid
Welzijn
Informatie over vissoort
Lees meer
General

Lobsters and crayfish

Lobsters live in saltwater whilst crayfish live in freshwater habitats. Lobsters and crayfish are most often caught using pots or traps. Most lobsters are equipped with ten legs and two scissors as front legs. With these scissors, they are able to grab, cut or crack their food. Did you know lobsters and crayfish, just lie snakes, change their skin because their shell does not grow with their bodies? After changing their shell the animal grows fast and increases in weight.

There are many different lobster species. Most common are the American lobster in the north-western Atlantic ocean, and the European lobster in the north-eastern Atlantic ocean. Lobsters have a relatively slow growth rate and reach sexual maturity at a late age. Another frequently consumed lobster is the Norway lobster. This species is way smaller than the American and European lobster. This species occurs in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Mediterranean sea.

 

 

King crab

The king crab, or red king crab, is one of the largest crab species in the world. When including its legs, this species can reach a wing span of over 2 metres. This species can be found in the colder waters surrounding the North Pole. Originally, the king crab is native to the Bering Sea but was introduced in the Barents Sea by Stalin to stimulate the fishery in this area. From there, the species has expanded its distribution range both east- and westwards. In Norway, there is a fishery that specifically targets king crab, as it is regarded as a delicacy.  

 

 

King crab

Paralithodes camtschaticus
Origin

Atlantic Ocean, northeast and Pacific Ocean, northwest (FAO 27; 67)

Farming- / Catch method

Pots and traps

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

King crab

Paralithodes camtschaticus
Origin

Barents Sea (FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Pots and traps

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Fish stocks and fishing pressure
Ecosystem effects
Fishery management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

The king crab is not native to the Barents Sea, but was introduced in the 1960s and now forms a stable population. Consequently, this species is doing well, the stockStock:
The fish of a particular species reproducing in the same area in the same period. 
is at a sustainableSustainable:
Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising opportunities for future generations. This also allows future generations to benefit from the same needs.
level and fishing pressureFishing pressure:
Fishing pressure is a result of the fishing effort/amount of fishing on a stock, which determines the fishing mortality. Fishing mortality is the share of the fish stock that dies annually as a result of fishing.
takes place within biologically safe limits.

Fishing with potspots:
A fishing method in which traps made of chicken wire are baited (fresh or salted fish) which are then placed on the seabed. Species caught this way include crab, lobster, whelk, langoustine and octopus.
and trapsTraps:
Traps are a kind of cages made of, for example, chicken wire that lie on the bottom of the sea. At the front is a net with large holes, which prevents species such as seals and waterfowl from swimming into the cage.
is unlikely to have a significant effect on the ecosystem. This fishery may have a negative impact on sensitive habitats on a small scale.

This species is well managed. Therefore, the regulations are well respected by the fishery. The managementManagement:
The regulations surrounding fisheries and aquaculture that ensure that production is carried out within legal frameworks and that sustainability can be assured.
of this species is largely effective.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.

Je gebruikt een verouderde browser. Hierdoor kunnen we de werking en veiligheid van de website niet garanderen. Bekijk hier de alternatieven.