Rye Pier - Giant Spider Crabs - April 2024

[@Im_Mr.Z]

Beautiful video. Thanks for posting.

[@csgproductions]

thanks! glad you enjoyed it.

[@nancycurtis7315]

Brilliant video. Grew up along all the beaches from St Kilda, to Frankston. Saw the odd blue ring and tiny crabs, but collection of shellfish, muscles, bi valves of any sort, decimated wildlife. I had no idea that so much more is out there. It was 50 years ago though. More aware now. It's helping a lot, that these videos are helping so much, too.😊

[@MrSamrobz]

I was free diving for scallops off Safety Beach and came across a huge school of these crabs. I spent a good 30mins just watching them. I have dived a fair bit, and this was one of the best experiences I have had in the water.

[@csgproductions]

Yeah, its pretty amazing. They caught me by surprise too. (I almost left my camera in the car that day, thinking, 'ah, it's only Rye Pier, I've done it before...)

[@muzzamoose]

Are they protected?This is the first time i have heard of this and ive been going to Rye since the early 70’s .This is just marvellous, would love to see this myself and my kids.thnx for sharing.

[@csgproductions]

Hi Muzza. Well, they're not exactly protected. You can't catch/collect them in water less than two metres deep, and you can only use legal fishing gear. There is also a catch limit of 15 crabs at any one time (i.e . you can't catch 15, put them in your car, then go and get 15 more!) That said, they're pretty inedible - apparently there's no meat in the body and very little in the legs - and I'm told they taste horrible. Much better to just sit back and watch! Cheers! CG

[@uprightwinter6144]

Another Colin Grant banger

[@csgproductions]

thanks! Only took a cast of thousands...!!

[@emmet.d]

Great video! Do you know if they're still congregating at the pier? Was the visibility good enough to see them snorkling? Thanks

[@csgproductions]

Hi. they usually hang around for about 2 weeks-ish. (this is the first week). You can see them from the pier/snorkelling if the water is clear (and that can be hit & miss). Best way is to check on the day. There are Facebook groups called 'Scuba Dive Melbourne' and 'DiveLine Scuba' called or similar, that have regular updates on the crabs. Good luck! C

[@emmet.d]

Amazing, thank you!

[@mavsonline]

How long does this migration last as it past through Sorrento?

[@csgproductions]

they were gone just one week later. They appear at Rye Pier or sometimes Bairgowrie, then go again. This year, they were about one month earlier than usual.

[@mavsonline]

Nice I keep tracking them. Thanks

[@dougcharles5004]

Can you eat them

[@csgproductions]

@dougcharles5004 they're pretty inedible, even though some people think/act otherwise. There's very little meat, all gristle and apparently it tastes horrible.