Crab Tile Survey 2008 report available to download

Crab tiling is the collection of peeler crabs from the intertidal mudflats on the estuary. In order to grow crabs must leave their hardened case (exoskeleton), expand by taking on sea water and then harden their skin to create a new exoskeleton. When going through this process the crab is called a peeler crab as it is peeling out of its skin. Before the skin is hardened again the crab is very vulnerable to predation so will look for sheltered areas to wait out the process.

The bait collectors each have their own sets of crab tiles on the estuary which are generally sections of drain pipe or roof tiles that the peeler crabs will shelter under. On collection, the crabs are sold or used as fishing bait for anglers.

Crab tiling has taken place for many years and local crab tillers often recall their grandfather's crab tiling on the same site.

Surveys of the amount of crab tiles present on the estuary have taken place since 2000  The most recent survey was completed in 2008 when around 26,000 tiles were counted.  The repor,t containing maps and comparisons to baseline data , is available to download.

The activity is managed by Bylaw 24 which limits the area in which crab tiles can be laid in order to maintain sustainable quantities of shore crabs on the estuary, any tiles outside of this area may be removed. The Exe Estuary Management Partnership has worked with the crab tillers in the past to create a voluntary code of conduct to help ensure that their activities are sustainable.  The Crab Tile Code of Conduct can be downloaded from our leaflets page.

It is important that the partnership continues to monitor the distribution and quantity of crab tiles to ensure that it is in accordance with Bylaw 24 and the code of conduct is being adhered to.