The University of Maine has requested advice about crab tagging and the application of tags manufactured by Hallprint Pty Ltd (South Australia) for study of the red crab (Chaceon quinquedens), a slow growing species for which there is a limited entry fishery. The fishery has recently been MSC certified for exemplary environmental performance. The crab tag manufactured by Hallprint was developed by the applicant Dr Andrew Levings, during FRDC project 93/220 and has proven to be extremely durable, as demonstrated by recent recaptures of tagged giant crabs after 15 years at large; and is ideal for long lived crab species.

The crystal crab (Chaceon albus) fishery in Western Australia is based on a similar species and is caught at similar depths to C. Quinquedens. Western Australian Deep sea crab fishermen have expressed an interest in obtaining information about the pathway taken by the New England fishermen to MSC certification and the harvest technologies of this fishery.

There is also a need to extend the results of research to new generation WA deep seas crab fishermen and encourage them to continue to assist research by reporting recaptures of tagged crabs.