Green crab is trouble, says state biologist

Associated Press

LONGVIEW — Maybe most people wouldn’t be afraid of a crab the size of a shirt button.

State biologist Ron Figlar-Barnes is.

He worries that the baby European green crab he found last spring — and more than 100 larger crabs — could mean the non-native crustaceans might settle in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor.

He also worries that few people are looking for the green crabs, four years after their appearance stirred up fears of yet another threat to oyster growers and native animals.

"It’s absolutely silly for anyone not to be concerned," Figlar-Barnes said. "The green crab haven’t gone away."

A few years ago, biologists and shellfish growers were somewhat encouraged when fewer green crabs turned up in traps and oyster beds.

But Figlar-Barnes says declining vigilance and his discoveries of young green crabs suggest the door is open to the invaders.

In other parts of the world, this aggressive species has pestered native shellfish. In Willapa Bay, they may devour oysters, clams and other animals and plants, and compete with native Dungeness crabs and fish for food.

"They’re opportunistic," Figlar-Barnes said. "They’ll feed on anything they can get hold of."

If the crabs become established, they could pinch the region’s multimillion-dollar seafood industry and harm native species.

Green crabs are caught for food in Europe, but no markets have developed in the United States, though they have been on the East Coast for at least 100 years.

Dr. Sylvia Yamada, an Oregon State University zoology professor, wrote the book — "Global Invaders: The European Green Crab" — on how the crustaceans take over new territory.

She says it’s too early to know whether they’re a permanent addition in the Northwest.

"You never know which way it’s going to go," Yamada said. But "the next year will really tell whether the green crabs are going to take off."

Figlar-Barnes agrees this is "a pretty critical year."

The first wave of green crabs, probably from a California outbreak, is believed to have arrived on the Washington coast with warm El Nino ocean currents in the late 1990s.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Judge sentences man for role in human smuggling ring

Jesus Ortiz-Plata was arrested in Everett in May 2024. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison.

Bill Wood, right, Donnie Griffin, center right, and Steve Hatzenbeler, left, listen and talk with South County Fire Chief Bob Eastman, center left, during an Edmonds Civic Roundtable event to discuss the RFA annexation on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds community discusses annexation into the regional fire authority

About 100 residents attended the Edmonds Civic Roundtable discussion in preparation for the April special election.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens schools bond leading early; Arlington voters reject latest levy attempt

A $314 million bond looks to pass while Arlington’s attempts to build a new Post Middle School again appear to take a step back.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.