The crab stock in Southwest Ireland and Malin shelf is unknown but it is likely declining due to high seasonal harvest rates. In the last stock assessment, the fishing rate is reported as appropriate to sustain future long-term yields.
Traps are generally considered selective fishing. The fishery is not likely to cause significant damage to endangered, threatened, protected (ETP) species. Discard rate of this fishery is high and mainly contain undersized crabs, however, the survival rate of discarded crustaceans is considered high. Pot fisheries are well known to have minor effects on the entire ecosystem.
Overall, management is seen as largely effective. The ox crab fishery is not subject to the European Union’s total allowable catch regulations. Transparency and compliance are quite high. However, monitoring and the availability of data need major improvement.