Fisherman nets rare deep-sea crab

The crab is only the sixth of its kind caught since records began

A rare crab normally found at depths of 10,000 feet has been netted by a Cornish fisherman.

The giant box crab was caught 12 miles off Falmouth by fisherman Arfee Treneer, from Mylor.

Measuring almost a metre, the crab is only the sixth of its kind to have been found in British waters since records began in 1900.

The last giant box crab, thought to be the largest British species, was also caught by Mr Treneer 16 years ago.

Continental shelf

The crustacean has been taken to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay where it is recovering in a chilled tank.

It appears to have lost two legs, but an aquarium spokesman said they will probably grow back eventually.

Aquarist Matt Slater said: "I'm not sure what's more amazing - the crab or the fact that the same fisherman has caught two specimens of this rare deep-water species nearly 16 years apart."

The giant box crab is normally found at depths of 10,000ft on the edge of the continental shelf, which runs from Ireland to Morocco.