Washington Removes 138K European Green Crabs

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington wildlife crews, tribal partners and shellfish growers have successfully removed tens of thousands of European green crabs since the beginning of the year as part of a concentrated effort to reduce their harmful effects on the environment.

Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation in January citing an "exponential increase" in the invasive species in coastal areas, and state lawmakers included more than $8 million in the budget to speed up containment work in March.

According to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the European green crab — or Carcinus maenas — is a threat to native shellfish, eelgrass, salmon habitats and ecosystems around the globe. They can consume dozens of clams per day, while also feasting on oysters and other crabs.

Related: Fish And Wildlife Seeks Help Battling Invasive Crab Species

In an update shared this week, WDFW said its staff and partners removed 138,000 of the crabs through the first week of August, nearly doubling the total removed by early June. Increased deployments to the Grays Harbor netted nearly 600 European green crabs east of Ocean Shores late last month, followed by hundreds more in early August.

After they are caught, staffers and volunteers measure the crabs for collection, then freeze them.

In Wallapa Bay, officials said the Shoalwater Bay Tribe had successfully removed more than 20,000 of the crabs near Tokeland so far this year, and the Willapa-Grays Harbor Oyster Growers association caught more than 25,000 from the tidelands along the Long Beach Peninsula.

The state also stood up rapid response protocols south of Bellingham after Washington Sea Grant's "Crab Team" found a lone European green crab late last month in Chuckanut Bay. Teams placed more than 150 traps around the bay over two nights. Officials said the traps netted just one additional crab, which is a promising sign that their populations remain low in that area.

Volunteers also found one crab in the northern Hood Canal area, where the state is evaluating its next steps. Wildlife teams and other volunteers continue to monitor areas of central and south Puget Sound for signs of concern.

Learn more about Washington's effort to reduce European green crabs on the WDFW's blog.