The Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society recently wrapped up a successful third season of trapping European Green Crabs in Boundary Bay! We will be accepting volunteers again next April, along with new site leaders. No experience is necessary, as we provide comprehensive training before the trapping season begins.
European Green Crab OverviewEuropean Green Crabs are an invasive species found along the coast of British Columbia, including areas like Boundary Bay and west Vancouver Island. They can be identified by their characteristic greenish shell, five spines on either side of their eyes, and a smooth carapace that typically measures 6 to 10 centimeters across.
These crabs pose several threats to local ecosystems:
Predation: They prey on juvenile shellfish, disrupting local fisheries and impacting species like clams and oysters.
Competition: They outcompete native species for food and habitat.
Ecosystem Alteration: Their burrowing behavior can destabilize sediments, affecting aquatic vegetation, like eelgrass, and the overall health of the marine environment.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is implementing initiatives to trap European green crabs due to their status as a highly invasive species that poses significant threats to marine ecosystems. These crabs can destroy vital habitats like eelgrass, which supports diverse marine life, and can negatively impact local fisheries and biodiversity. By trapping and managing their populations, the DFO aims to mitigate their harmful effects and protect both the environment and the commercial fishery sectors that rely on healthy aquatic ecosystems.
If you think you have seen a European Green crab, please email a photo, date of observation and location to DFO at AISPACIFIC@DFO-MPO.GC.CA To see the most current confirmed sightings map and for more information on the DFO European Green Crab Monitoring Network go to: www.sogdatacentre.ca/biota/aquatic-invasive-species and for more information visit: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/ais-eae/index-eng.html
Keep an eye out on our blog and social media to join us in our efforts to protect the rich biodiversity of Boundary Bay!
With thanks to Diane Watson for coordinating this important project and sharing this post!
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