It was first murder hornets. Later it was African clawed Frogs. Don’t forget about the Japanese beetles.
Washington now has another problem with invasive species — a European green crab captured in Hood Canal. This is the furthest south this species has been discovered in the Salish Sea.
The group reported that volunteers from Washington Sea Grant captured the male European green crab in Nick’s Lagoon, near Seabeck in Kitsap County. The state has given the organization the task of early detection of the spread of the crab.
Washington Sea Grant marine ecologist Emily Grason stated in a press release that the crab arrived at Lagoon last year based on its size.
“This group is made up of steadfast volunteers who have never missed a month in mud and are our eyes in areas that managers don’t always have the ability to monitor,” Grason stated.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will respond by increasing trapping to assess the extent of green crab presence and trying to eradicate it locally.
Gov. Jay Inslee issued an Emergency Proclamation in January to address the significant increase in European green crab population in Lummi Nation’s sea pond near Bellingham.
The crab is adaptable, preying on young clams before they reach harvestable ages, out-competes native species of crabs, and causing havoc in marine and estuary ecosystems. Carcinus maenas, the Latin name for this crab, means “raving mad crab”.
Washington Sea Grant states that the small shore crab is an effective colonizer and predator and can significantly alter any ecosystem it enters. It is believed to be responsible for the collapse in Maine of the soft-shellclam industry.
It was discovered for the first time in Washington’s inland waterways in 2016.
Allen Pleus is the Aquatic Invasive species policy coordinator at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Pleus said that the agency has taken multiple steps to “control these invasive crabs and stop them from causing harm to environmental, economic and cultural resources.”
Fish and Wildlife asks anyone who sees a European green crab shell or crab to snap a photo and report it online.
