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Cornwall Harbour Swarmed by Thousands of Giant Spider Crabs
3 Aug
Summary
- Thousands of giant spider crabs appeared overnight in Newquay Harbour.
- The crabs were undergoing their annual shedding process, becoming soft and jelly-like.
- Marine biologists link rising UK spider crab numbers to climate change and warmer seas.
Fisherman Daniel Gilbert discovered thousands of giant spider crabs carpeting the shallows of Newquay Harbour, Cornwall, one morning in late July or early August 2026. This remarkable influx occurred overnight as the crustaceans began their annual shedding process. During this month-long phase, their hard outer shells soften, making them appear jelly-like and vulnerable.
While Gilbert, a local fisherman, witnesses this phenomenon yearly, the sheer scale of this particular gathering surprised him. He noted the crabs looked like they were dead but were, in fact, alive and soft. Local seals were also observed near his boat amidst the spectacle.
Marine experts believe the growing number of spider crabs along the UK coast is linked to climate change and increasing sea temperatures. The Cornwall Wildlife Trust reassures the public that these crabs are harmless and not venomous, aiming to dispel any negative myths surrounding them.
