AIBU regarding crabs.

[bellarations]

My dc and I went crabbing, it was very good fun and everyone that I saw, with the exception of one family/group returned their bucket of crabs to the sea.
The family/group in question caught masses of crabs, I kid you not two big buckets almost full, they put a bag on top of one bucket and left it to one side, they then returned the other bucket into the sea, walking off with the full bucket of crabs hidden under a bag. The hiding of crabs leads me to think they knew they shouldn't have been taking them home.
So AIBU to think the crabs have been stolen or can you keep them?

Would it be OK to eat them? Some beaches have high levels of pollutants and heavy metals. I think the shellfish you get in the shops come from specific places that are known to be clean.

Its illegal to take crabs from the sea under a certain size. I can't remember how big they have to be, but I think the shell has to be something like 6 inches minimum

Harold :) shellfish :)

www.ne-ifca.gov.uk/minimum-landing-sizes/

I used to catch them and use them for bait. Did the same with worms from the beach.

The Walberswick crabbing championship rules say that you have to return the crab to the water. www.walberswick.ws/crabbing/rules.php

Thought that said carbs its late ok

Crab racing.

They looked shifty as they have an idea gal betting syndicate.

Illegal

Thanks for your replies.
The crabs varied from small to very small. Definitely not worth the bother of cooking and eating them.
Thanks to who mentioned that size matters, that has cleared up the matter then, they were dbu to keep the crabs.

I wouldn't see a problem picking berries or mushrooms, indeed I ate some cob nuts yesterday picked whilst on a walk. It is the fact that they are tiny crabs and if everyone took them, what would be left year after year?