Crab off the menu after storms cause crustacean crisis

RESTAURANTS are facing a crab shortage caused by winter storms.

Crab favourites such as linguine and crab cakes have had to be removed from menus as stocks have plummeted unexpectedly.

Fishermen believe late February’s “Beast from the East” may have killed large amounts of the young crustaceans in British waters, although an element of mystery remains as to why they have depleted.

The dip has been particularly bad in the South West.

“We haven’t had it on the menu for over two months,” said Chris Pike, of The Pea Green Boat restaurant in Sidmouth, Devon. “Every day people come in and ask, ‘where are the crab sandwiches?’”

Kim Aplin, a crab fisherman from Beer, Devon, said: “I could sell my crab five times over at the moment. Where people are getting their crab from? I don’t know.”

Andy Frary, a crabber from Wells, Norfolk, said he was catching about 60 per cent of his usual haul.