Crabs, Shrimp and Prawns

Although they may not always be considered exciting saltwater species to catch, it's hard to beat the taste of these shellfish. For this reason alone, crabs, prawns and shrimp should be considered one of the "Top 10" saltwater species for anglers in B.C.

Found all along the coast and caught with easily operated traps and inexpensive bait, crabs, prawns and shrimp are often a key part of a fishing outing. Indeed, setting and pulling crab and prawn traps is a unique British Columbia family fishing experience.

Shrimp and Prawn
Five of the 85 species of shrimp found in B.C. are of interest to anglers: Coonstripe, Humpback, Smooth and Spiny Pink shrimp, and Prawns.

What they look like: Shrimp and prawns have two body sections protected by a hard outer covering called a carapace. They have antennae, eyes, mouthparts, and feeding and walking legs. The muscular abdomen extends behind the carapace and has swimming legs and a fanlike tail.

Coonstripe shrimp are red-brown with irregular brown and white oblique lines on the carapace and abdomen.

Humpback shrimp are red-tan with dark red and bright white markings.

Pink shrimp are a uniform, translucent red.

Prawns, the largest shrimp in B.C. at 25 cm in length, are red with white horizontal bars on the carapace and at least two pairs of white spots on the abdomen.

Where they live: Found all along the coast.

Coonstripe shrimp live in shallow water on or near pilings and floats.

Humpback shrimp live on soft or hard bottoms.

Pink shrimp live on soft bottoms.

Prawns live in rocky areas.

For more information, visit:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Species/shellfishID_e.htm#SHRIMP%20...

Crabs
Although there are nearly 100 species of crab in B.C., the two most interesting to fishers are Dungeness crab and Red Rock crab.

What they look like:
Crabs are designed for crawling across the bottom of the ocean. They have three to four pairs of walking legs and a pair of claws that are used to feed and defend themselves.

Dungeness crabs are gray brown on the back and yellow underneath, and their claws have white tips.

Red Rock crabs are brick red above and white below, and their claws have black tips.

Where they live:
Dungeness and Red Rock crab are found all along BC's coast.

For more information, visit:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/recfish/Species/shellfishID_e.htm#CRABS

Sport Fishing Institute of B.C.
http://www.sportfishing.bc.ca/fish/shellfish.cfm