REGATTA CRABBING COMPETITION
Probably the best crabbing competition in the World, or Europe, definitely Devon.
Our competitions this year, kindly sponsored by Ribeye & Bays Brewery
Sustainability is key!
Every year the Harbour Authority removes thousands of plastic crabbing lines from the river. This is bad news for our river and it’s inhabitants. This year we will insist all entrants use plastic free crabbing lines, to do our bit for the environment.
Junior Crabbing Friday 29th August
Join the fun on Friday 29th August for the Children’s Crab Fishing Competition, sponsored by Ribeye Boats! Registration takes place from 09:00-10:00 at the covered shelter on the South Embankment opposite the Old Hospital, with lines in the water between 10:00-11:00. Open to age groups Under 7s, 7-9, and 10-12, there are prizes for the most crabs caught, the biggest and the prettiest crab. Come along and see who nets the big win!
Catch as many crabs as you can. Do not cheat, we will be checking! Do not hurt the crabs. Keep them in water.
RULES
🦀 Do: Use a single crab line with a bait bag (bait e.g. bacon) at the end, instead of larger drop nets, as crabs can get trapped in them.
🦀 Do: Use natural fibre lines and nets where possible, as these decompose if they end up in the river, rather than injuring wildlife.
Don’t: Overcrowd your bucket—stick to a maximum of 10 crabs per pail.
🦀 Do: if you have 10 crabs or want to return your crabs to the water during the competition please bring your bucket to the officials who will log your crabs against your name and you can then release them back into the river. Happy Crabs!
🦀 Do: Add rocks and seaweed to the bucket to mimic the crabs’ natural environment and reduce stress.
🦀 Do: Please return your crabs to the River at the end of the competition, this will help them to keep healthy, be happy and be ready to be caught again
🦀 Do: Change the water every 15 minutes to prevent asphyxiation. Always use seawater.
Don’t: Store your bucket in direct sunlight.
🦀 Do: Handle crabs gently—hold them by the sides of their shell or with one finger on top and one underneath, avoiding the claws.
🦀 Do: Separate any fighting crabs—males can be more aggressive.
🦀 Do: Recycle your crab lines after use, by putting them in the wooden boxes on North and South Embankment – big wooden boxes with orange crabs. They are cleaned off and re-purposed. Find Recycled Shores who have a stand at the Regatta during Regatta Week selling bracelets from the used lines.
Don’t: Let your line end up in the water, as it can injure wildlife.
🦀 Do: Enjoy crabbing! When done responsibly, it’s a great way to teach children about marine ecology
Prizes will be issued immediately after counting. The brave and very important counters decision is FINAL!!!
sponsored by 
Crabbing competition for ‘Grown Ups’
Tuesday 26th August
Registration takes place from 17:30-18:00 at the covered shelter on the South Embankment opposite the Old Hospital, with lines in the water between 18:00-19:00.
Catch as many crabs as you can. Do not cheat, we will be checking! Do not hurt the crabs. Keep them in water.
RULES
🦀 Traditional line only, no hooks and no nets allowed
🦀 Grown Ups are responsible for ensuring they do not fall in the river!
🦀 We will be conducting safety sweeps but accept no liability for wet grown ups!
🦀 Crabbing permitted between the cannon and Embankment Bistro
🦀 No crabbing on the steps
Prizes will be issued immediately after counting. The brave and very important counters decision is FINAL!!!
Prizes courtesy of BAYS BREWERY
