Look Out for Invasive Crab!

The #GreenCrab is invading from the west coast and has recently reached #Alaska.

"What is a green crab?

The green crab is considered one of the most invasive species in the marine environment. It has few predators, aggressively hunts and eats its prey, destroys seagrass, and outcompetes local species for food and habitat. It has been documented that green crab devour juvenile king crab as well as juvenile salmon. They also destroy eelgrass habitat that larval fish use to hide from predators, and outcompete Dungeness crabs for food and habitat. Green crab could potentially damage Alaska’s multi-billion dollar fisheries industries, especially for salmon, crab, and mariculture operations. Resource managers in Alaska have been keeping an eye on the invasive crab’s northward movement for years.

How did they get here?

Green crabs were first introduced to North America in the 1800s, likely hitching a ride in the ballast water of merchant ships from Europe. Experts believe the invasive crab was transported to the West Coast in ballast water as well. They may also be transported with shellfish, equipment, or packing materials in aquaculture operations. Larval green crabs can also spread from one invaded area to another in ocean currents. On July 19, 2022, the Metlakatla Indian Community Department of Fish & Wildlife confirmed the first observation of the invasive green crabs in the State of Alaska on Annette Islands Reserve. This map shows the range of green crab throughout the world with their native range in blue and all other colors indicating areas they invaded or have the potential to spread.

What can I do to help?

In cooperation with NOAA Fisheries and the ADF&G Invasive Species Program, MIC DFW has implemented eradication protocols by increasing trapping efforts, working with partners to collect data and samples for research, and expanding monitoring and outreach on the reserve and throughout southern Southeast Alaska. We need your help to identify invasive green crabs on your local beaches and notify local officials and the ADF&G Invasive Species Hotline.

Where should I look?

Green crabs live on rocky shores, cobble beaches, sandflats and tidal marshes. They can often be found near eelgrass beds or other shoreline vegetation. Green crabs tolerate a wide range of water salinity and temperature. They can also survive upstream of river mouths in some estuarine environments. When you’re out on the beach, Look Out for Invasive European Green Crab.

How do I identify a green crab?

Find the 5 spines! The best way to identify green crab is to count the spines. There are 5 spines behind the eye on each side of the shell. Also see the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's Crab Identification Guide.

Green crabs are not always green! The top of the shell may be mottled dark brown to dark green, with small yellow patches. The bottom may be orange or red during molting. Green crabs can be identified by their unique shell shape. Adult shells can be up to 4 inches across.

Report it!

Take lots of photos of the crab with a coin, key, or other standard sized item for scale. Report your sightings via the ADF&G Invasive Species Reporter or by calling the Invasive Species Hotline: (877) INVASIV ((877) 468-2748). If you locate invasive green crab on Annette Islands Reserve, you can call (907) 886-FISH to make a report."

Source:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/habitat-conservation/look-out-invasive-crab

#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #CitizenScience #Alaska #GreenCrabs #ClimateChange

#BlueCrabs on the rise in #Maine waters

Growing population raises questions about impacts, good and bad

By Clarke Canfield
Posted 2023-12-01

Excerpt: "In the wild, blue crabs are eaten by large fish, some fish-eating birds, and sea turtles, according to NOAA Fisheries. But it’s what crabs themselves eat that is raising questions in the #GulfOfMaine.

"Blue crabs are major predators of ocean-bottom communities and will eat almost anything, including clams, oysters, mussels, small crustaceans, freshly dead fish, and plants. They’ll also eat smaller and soft-shelled blue crabs.

"In Maine, one question is whether blue crabs pose a threat to juvenile lobsters that are abundant and serve as the foundation of Maine’s lobster fishery. 'Blue crabs are one of the most aggressive crab species and pose predatory and habitat threats to lobsters,' said Aaron Whitman, a senior research associate at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland.

"Conversely, will they eat invasive #GreenCrabs that feast on juvenile clams and have decimated the clam population in some parts of Maine. Blue crabs have been credited with keeping the green crab population in check in the Chesapeake Bay."

Read more:
https://www.islandinstitute.org/working-waterfront/blue-crabs-on-the-rise-in-maine-waters/

#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeAdaptation

Invasive #GreenCrabs: Implications & How to Utilize Them

by Mary Parks, June 15, 2023

"Green crabs were first spotted in Casco Bay in the early 1900s after moving northward from Massachusetts waters where they were introduced a century before. In recent years, green crabs have become Maine’s most common crab species, wreaking havoc on some of the state’s most valuable fisheries and vulnerable ecosystems. Cold winters that historically kept green crab populations in check are no longer common and as #ClimateChange continues to warm the #GulfOfMaine, green crab populations could increase. This invasive species has singlehandedly destroyed the soft-shell clam fishery (a single green crab can eat up to 40 clams in a day), compete with local crabs and lobster for food, and destroy important eelgrass habitats.

"Many have launched diversified efforts to monitor green crabs, control their populations, prevent predation of clams, and spread awareness of their invasive impact.

"Wolfe’s Neck Center has been utilizing green crabs as #compost for years, collecting them from coastal waters to utilize as a nutrient source and educating visitors on the impact of green crabs. Last year alone, Wolfe’s Neck Center’s farm team composted 12,000 pounds (about twice the weight of an elephant) of green crabs.

"In this post, we will go over a basic recipe for cooking with green crabs and tips for using the remaining shells as compost in your garden, so you can be part of the solution at home!"

Learn more:
https://www.wolfesneck.org/green-crabs-an-invasive-species/

#SolarPunkSunday #Composting #GreenCrabRecipes #invasivespecies #ClimateChangeAdaptation #WolfesNeck #Maine

#Maine's invasive #GreenCrabs aren't going anywhere, so why not eat them?

Maine's coast is overrun by invasive green crabs, which harm natural nurseries for lobster larvae and eat clam beds. Fishermen are looking to turn them into food.

By Jack Molmud, June 26, 2023

Excerpt: "To the year, Masi's crew is hauling in around 5,000 pounds of live green crabs. They said more could easily be harvested, but they are still looking for more buyers.

"One buyer in Portsmouth, Row 34, is using the soft-shell green crab to make a slider.

"Josh Peck, the chef at Row 34, said it's getting customers talking.

" 'We sell a fair amount of them,' Peck said. 'There is no lack of sustainability with the green crab.'

"But while the thousands of pounds of green crabs are shipped to restaurants and bait dealers around New England, Masi, and his crew hope that number will only grow. The summer months are moving on, and the crabs are stopping the molting process, which produces the soft shell.

" 'It's a start. You got to start somewhere,' Masi said."

Read more:
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/special-reports/maines-changing-climate/maines-invasive-green-crabs-arent-going-anywhere-so-why-not-eat-them-food/97-1c68a7b3-2d0f-4b13-993d-313e3b96ddf0

#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #WhatsForDinner #ChangingClimate #ClimateChange #ClimateChangeAdaptation

I'm planning on posting more articles about how to utilize #InvasiveSpecies, since #ClimateChange and #GlobalTravel has changed the natural environment everywhere! Next week, I'll post about #GreenCrabs and #BlueCrabs -- and yes, both of them are edible!

#SolarPunkSunday #Foraging

Michelin chef reveals mouth-watering recipe made with invasive threat damaging ecosystems: ‘It’s amazing’

Chef Douglas Kim made use of one of the most invasive species in marine ecosystems to …
#dining #cooking #diet #food #RecipeTopics #dannykim #DouglasKim #greencrabs #invasivespecies #marineecosystems #michelin #michelinstar #Recipes #RecipesTopics
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2277031/michelin-chef-reveals-mouth-watering-recipe-made-with-invasive-threat-damaging-ecosystems-its-amazing-2/

Half of all #eelgrass in #CascoBay has died within last four years, experts say

Eelgrass, according to Friends of Casco Bay, is home to juvenile lobster and fish. Without eelgrass, much of Maine's seafood economy loses its base, they said.

By Jack Molmud
March 29, 2023

SOUTH PORTLAND, #Maine — According to a report from Friends of Casco Bay, 54 percent of all eelgrass meadows in Casco Bay have died off since 2018.

"This comes as the 2022 to 2023 winter saw water temps reach four degrees above average.

"'My first response was it's heartbreaking,' Will Everitt, the executive director of Friends of Casco Bay said. 'My second response was now is the time we have to do more than ever to protect the bay.'

"Everitt said eelgrass is dying due to a combination of consequences from the warm water.

"Warm water attracts more invasive #GreenCrabs, which cut the eelgrass and eat softshell crabs, he said. This disturbs the naturally-occurring species, he said.

"'When we have a really cold winter it can kill back the green crabs,' Everitt said.

"He added a warm winter won't kill as many green crabs, allowing them to reproduce and spawn more green crabs for summer and fall.

"'The loss of this is tragic and could have a huge impact on our coastal waters,' Everitt said.

"Everitt added the #WarmingOceans in Maine also result in more frequent #AlgaeBlooms, which prevent the eelgrass from accessing proper sunlight to grow.

"Fewer eelgrass meadows mean fewer lobsters in inshore waters, he added.

"'A number of critters in the bay depend on this... the warming waters are going to do a number on this if it continues,' Everitt said.

"If the situation continues to worsen, Everitt suggested experts would recommend planting eelgrass from more southern states so that subspecies can handle the warmer temperatures Maine is set to experience."

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/tech/science/environment/half-of-all-eelgrass-in-casco-bay-has-died-in-the-last-four-years-experts-say-environment-climate-maine-science/97-addbbefc-8513-4860-9289-52e4250299fc

#FriendsOfCascoBay #SaltMarshes #SaveTheWetlands #EelGrass #SaveTheWetlands
#SaveTheMarshes #ProtectNature #NewEngland #GulfOfMaine

While on the subject of #invasivespecies...

Green Crabs Are Maine’s Most Delicious Scourge

Meet the scientists and chefs who want to get invasive green crabs out of Maine’s waters and into your belly.

By Kathryn Miles
November 2019

"'If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em,' McMahan says, and she recites a broth recipe I’ve agreed to make in exchange for the ecology lesson."

https://downeast.com/features/maine-green-crabs/

#GreenCrabs #NomNom #Recipes #IfYouCantBeatEmEatEm #SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies

#European #GreenCrabs have posed a problem off the coast of #VancouverIsland for decades now, and while current conservation efforts have focused on deep freezing them & throwing them in a landfill, some suggest eating them instead.
The species, which is found across the #Pacific )Northwest is aggressive & feeds voraciously on shellfish; they have no natural predators and they reproduce at a high rate. Each female can have up to 185,000 babies at a time.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6900845

#nature #PNW