The Common Prawn is one of the most fished species in Galway Bay. Each summer the local creel fishermen lay down pots throughout the bay to catch these tasty shellfish. They are sold live to market, and the tail-meat is sold in restaurants and shops both in Ireland and abroad. The Prawn is a delicate animal, but it has little pincers which it uses to protects itself, as well as a sharp serrated spike (known as the “rostrum”) which protrudes from its head. It is the rostrum, rather than the pincers, which tend to cause sharp pain to an unsuspecting rock-pooler!

It is certainly a lot tougher than it’s almost transparent shell would indicate. If its natural armour is not enough to protect it from predators, it can swim backwards surprisingly quickly by flicking its tail-like abdomen. It is a much sought after prey for a number of marine animals including Rays and Dogfish, flatfish such as Plaice and Flounder, and Cod, Whiting and Pouting.