Invasive European crabs found at Annette Island

An invasive species with the potential to wreak havoc on important commercial and subsistence fisheries has been found in Alaska for the first time. Biologists with the Metlakatla Indian Community said they've found growing evidence of European green crabs at Annette Island.

Scientists said the crustaceans uproot eelgrass beds in search of food, which serve as habitat for herring and salmon. They also compete with native crab species and prey on other shellfish, including scallops and juvenile oysters.

Scientists had been looking for the crabs for years. And to their relief, they had come up e...

 

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