Estimation of Annual Growth in the Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus L.)

Abstract

Determination of annual growth under natural conditions has so far proved difficult in Crustacea, largely due to lack of information on moult frequency. In this paper, recaptures from suture-tagging experiments have been examined, and the results from crabs recaptured on annual anniversaries after their release, including both moulted and unmoulted, combined to provide estimates of annual growth and annual moult frequency. Males and females were considered separately, and annual growth in males became reduced at a smaller size than in females.