Tuesday 9 August 2022 03:13 PM Cornwall visitors told spider crabs are NOT dangerous after thousands gather in ... trends now
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Conservationists are urging visitors to continue enjoying Cornwall’s beaches despite mass spider crab gatherings, insisting that the crustaceans are not ‘venomous’.
There have been sightings of thousands of crabs carpeting the ocean floor at popular tourist sports including Newquay, St Ives, Falmouth and St Austell in recent weeks.
The spider crab gatherings used to be rare in UK waters but Cornwall Wildlife Trust has described this summer as being ‘unusually spectacular’ for sightings.
The trust is encouraging people to go and see the underwater spectacle in action and have insisted that they are ‘completely harmless to humans’.
Matt Slater, marine conservation officer at the trust, said: ‘I’ve spent my whole career trying to get people to appreciate amazing marine animals like spider crabs.
‘Reports of them being venomous are simply untrue and could damage their reputation. These animals are truly unique and are completely harmless to humans.
Spider crabs (like this huge one in Newquay) have been spotted across the Cornwall coastline this summer, as well as in Torbay and Wales
‘Despite the many gatherings we’ve seen in places like St Ives, it’s not that common to witness this kind of behaviour. I saw it for the first time in Falmouth last year and it was an unbelievable experience.
‘Please go out, enjoy our coastline responsibly and admire
