FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA

NOTICE TO FISH HARVESTERS

nf.18.104


2018/5/11

Bitter Crab Handling Practices and Identification

DFO reminds Snow crab fish harvesters to employ the following handling practices in order to prevent the spread of Bitter Crab Disease (BCD):

. Remove the infected crab from the catch for disposal ashore

. Keep them in a sealed container until landed and send them to a landfill

. Don't throw bitter crab back into the ocean

Bitter crabs are not counted against Individual Quotas.

Identification: A bitter crab has a "cooked" appearance, is a ghostly or dead-looking white. Legs are opaque white but in early stages, they may show white streaks on the translucent underside. The usually red-brown back may have a pink or orange tint. Infected crab may have drooping limbs and mouthparts.

BCD is harmless to humans but fatal to crabs; can contribute to the decline of the commercial crab stocks; affects the market quality of crab.

To find out more about bitter crab, and to view pictures to aid in identification, please visit:

http://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/40684155.pdf

Contact:
David Ball
Resource Management
Tel.(709) 772-3732
Email: dave.ball@dfo-mpo.gc.ca