Community / Good turnout for return of crab catching competition
MORE than 100 folk turned out for the return of the Shetland Crabby Line Championship in Scalloway on Saturday afternoon.
The premise behind the event is fairly simple – drop lines with bait into the water and catch crabs, with three different prizes on offer.
The event, which took place at the pier at the Scalloway Boating Club, has not been held since 2019 due to the Covid pandemic.
This year’s contest – the ninth to date – raised £340 for the local fire festival.
It is organised by Mark Burgess and Carina Newell, with help coming at the event from Rhea Newell – while Gibbie Hunter helped make up the “crabby rigs”.
“It’s supported by local business who donate the line, weights, fish and the airhorn – LHD netstore, Malakoff, QA Fish and DH Marine,” Burgess explained.
“It’s excellent family fun, attended by all from small infants to grandparents – over 100 crabbylines in the water this year.
“This year funds raised were going to the Scalloway Fire Festival and ex-jarl Kenny Grant and squad member Peter Stewart from the Scalloway Fire Festival came along in their squad suits to open the championship and hand out the trophies at the end.
“The top prize goes to the single biggest crab landed so anyone can win, even first-timers, with other categories for most crabs and most unusual catch.
“We were delighted with how it went, good wholesome competition enjoyed by everyone, the weather was good to us to. It’s so lovely to see so many folk having fun and enjoying an event that is a low cost, low tech activity, that gets everyone outside together.”
Refreshments and hot dogs were also provided by the Scalloway Boating Club.
Organisers said prior to the event that all sea life should be “handled gently and returned to the water safely after weigh in”, and that hooks were not allowed.
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