Cancer pagurus

Cancer pagurus is a large marine crab native to the eastern Atlantic and parts of the Mediterranean. It is widely known as the edible crab or brown crab.

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Brachyura: Brachyura is the infraorder of crabs, distinguished by a short abdomen folded beneath the thorax. This infraorder places Cancer pagurus among true crabs.
Crab fishery: A crab fishery harvests crab populations for commercial or subsistence use. Fisheries target Cancer pagurus across its range, especially in European waters.
Atlantic Ocean: The Atlantic Ocean is the ocean between the Americas and Europe and Africa. Its eastern waters contain much of the species' native range.
Overfishing: Overfishing occurs when fishing removes organisms faster than populations can replace them. Heavy fishing can reduce the abundance and size of edible crab stocks.
Carapace: A carapace is the hard upper shell covering the cephalothorax of many crustaceans. Its broad, reddish-brown carapace is a defining feature of the species.
Crab pot: A crab pot is a baited trap designed to catch crabs while allowing smaller animals to escape. Pot fishing is a common method for catching edible crabs.
Mediterranean Sea: The Mediterranean Sea is an enclosed sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. The crab also occurs in parts of this sea.
Marine protected area: A marine protected area is a defined sea region managed to conserve ecosystems or species. Protected zones can limit fishing pressure on crab populations and habitats.
Decapoda: Decapoda is an order of crustaceans that includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. Cancer pagurus belongs to this ten-legged crustacean order.
Crab meat: Crab meat is the edible muscle recovered from a crab's body and limbs. The species is valued for meat from its claws and body.