Seafood in Selsey

Fresh crab, lobster and fish from the local fleet

Selsey's identity as a fishing town is not just historical. A working fleet of small boats still operates from East Beach, landing crab and lobster that is renowned across Sussex and beyond. The sight of boats being hauled up onto the shingle by tractors, fishermen sorting their catch among the nets and pots, and the sharp salt smell of the sea are everyday realities at East Beach rather than tourist attractions.

Selsey crab is the signature product. The brown crabs caught in the pots set on the seabed around the Manhood Peninsula are prized for the quality of their meat, and they supply not only local outlets but restaurants and fishmongers across the wider region. Lobster is the other main catch, with the lobster pots set among the rocky ground off Selsey Bill yielding a steady supply during the season. The catch is seasonal, with the busiest period running from late spring through to autumn, though some fishing continues year-round depending on weather and conditions.

Fresh seafood can be purchased in several ways. At East Beach, fishermen sometimes sell directly to the public from the beach or from small huts near the boat park. This is the most direct way to buy, and the crab and lobster could not be any fresher. Local shops in the town centre stock fresh and dressed crab, and the fishmonger trade has a long history in Selsey. The Crab and Lobster pub at Sidlesham serves the local catch in its restaurant, and the fish and chip shops in the town use local fish when available.

The fishing heritage is woven into Selsey's culture. Families have fished from this beach for generations, and the skills and knowledge of the local waters are passed down from father to son. The fleet is smaller than it once was, and the economics of small-scale fishing are challenging, but the tradition endures. The Selsey Fishermen's Association represents the interests of the fleet and works to maintain access to the beach and the fishing grounds.

For anyone visiting Selsey, eating the local crab and lobster is not simply a meal. It is a connection to the town's identity, a tradition that stretches back centuries and continues on the shingle at East Beach every working day.