Spider or Chancre?Discover the Crabs of Jersey

When you think of Jersey seafood, crab is probably pretty high up the list. But did you know that there are several different types of crab around Jersey’s coastline?

Two of the most familiar are the spider crab and the chancre crab. They’re both delicious, but they look very different. Once you know what you’re looking for, they’re easy to tell apart.

The spider crab

Spider crabs are hard to miss. With their long, spindly legs and pointed shell, they look a little more like a mysterious monster from the deep than your typical crab.

They’re found around Jersey’s waters and are particularly noticeable at certain times of year when large groups can gather. Their shells can become covered in seaweed and other marine growth, helping them blend into their surroundings.

Their meat is sweet, delicate and full of flavour: exactly the sort of local seafood we love at the Shack.

The chancre crab

The chancre crab is a very different-looking creature. Also known as the brown crab or the edible crab, it has a broad, rounded shell, chunky claws and a distinctive reddish-brown colour.

While the chancre might look a little more like the classic crab you picture in your head, it has plenty of character of its own.

The meat is rich, sweet and wonderfully satisfying, particularly when served simply and allowed to do the talking.

Both are part of the incredible marine life found around Jersey, and both are a reminder of just how much good stuff comes from the waters around our Island.

So next time you spot a crab on the beach, take a closer look. You might just be able to tell your chancre crab from your spider crab!

And if you'd rather leave the catching and cracking to us, you know where to find the Shack.