Natural wealth in minerals meant that mining displaced fishing and piracy as Wales’ main industry early in its history, according to the BBC. Romans exported Welsh slate to other parts of the empire, and by the 18th century, most Welsh laborers worked in the coal mines that fueled Britain’s Industrial Revolution. The construction of railways in the 19th century allowed tourism to flourish, and the Victorians built some of the piers where children now fish for crabs.
Tourism now supports the Welsh economy more than either mining or fishing do, generating nearly 3 billion pounds in revenue and 100,000 jobs annually, according to the Welsh Assembly Government. But commercial fishermen still prosper by exporting scallops, mussels, lobsters and crabs to other parts of the United Kingdom. To promote fishermen and entertain visitors, some towns, such as Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, put on crab-catching contests for children.
Children often transform any harbor wall, wharf or bridge into crab-fishing spots. Popular crabbing towns include Aberdovey, Gwynedd, North Wales and New Quay, West Wales, but any town with rocky shallows near a place to sit can turn into a crabber's lair. Even a child-sized bridge over a trickle of water close to the sea can make a base for crabbing.
Tie a 55-millimeter bait bag to a nylon fishing line wrapped around a spool. An old laundry-soap bag with drawstrings can work. Angling shops sell bait-bag and spool sets with 30 meters of line for around a pound to just more than 2 pounds. Drop a small piece of meat in the bag and tie the bag shut. Some people like to use squid for bait. Fill a few buckets with cool sea water. Set a long-handled net nearby.
Stand or sit on the pier, ease the line and bag into the water and wait. When a crab grasps the bag with its claws, slowly pull the string without jerking. The crab should stay clasped to the mesh bag until it hits the surface of the water. Grab it by the back or catch it in the net. Drop the crab in the bucket of cool sea water.
It’s better to put only a few crabs in a single bucket so they don’t get injured, according to The Independent. If the crabs are fiercely fighting, move one back into the sea or into a separate bucket. Change the water frequently, and don’t keep the crabs in the buckets longer than an hour or so. Store the buckets in a shady place. When ready, slowly release the crabs back into the bay.
