Combings

The foreshore in the old harbour was covered with spider crab shells when I went beachcombing at low tide. These crustaceans are subject to cyclical population surges and although they normally live in deeper water in winter, in summer they come closer in the shore and may be washed up in large numbers.

They are unpopular with fishers because with their long claws they can reach into lobster pots and extract the bait. But strangely you rarely see them for sale or on a menu although the meat is supposed to be more sweet and succulent than the common crab's and it's highly prized on the continent. Spider crab linguine - mm!

In recent years the West Wales coast has seen them in increasing numbers. Dr. John Fish [no kidding!] of Aberystwyth University is quoted as saying: 'I have seen more Spider Crabs on the beaches of Cardiganshire this year [2003] than in other years'. It could be because of global warming, ocean currents or changing migration patterns or they could be adapting to changing water conditions. Deep water dredging for scallops must have a significant impact too.

Beachcombing in the harbour is always interesting because of the old pieces of glass and crockery left from when this was a thriving fishing and trading community. But I liked the Hallo Kitty plastic sweet dispenser to0: 21st century archaeology to be!