Attention, Pacific Northwest residents! Invasive Chinese mitten crabs spotted – Are they in your area?
Wildlife officials in Oregon have confirmed the first-ever sighting of an invasive Chinese mitten crab in the Pacific Northwest. This crab species, known for its distinctive claws, poses a potential threat to local ecosystems.
Oregon wildlife officials are sounding the alarm after the discovery of a Chinese mitten crab in the Lower Columbia River, marking the first known sighting of this invasive species in the Pacific Northwest.
The crab was caught by commercial fishermen last week, sparking concerns about its potential impact on local ecosystems.
What is the Chinese mitten crab?
This crab species is native to East Asia and responsible for many ecological disruptions across the world, and even San Francisco Bay in the 1990s. According to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, these crabs have been spotted in Baltimore and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region between 2005 and 2014.
How to identify a Chinese mitten crab. Photo: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Because of their impact on ecosystems, Chinese mitten crabs are identified by their unique features: hairy, mitten-like claws, a notch between their eyes, and four spines on each side of their carapace. Their color can range from brownish-orange to greenish-brown.
Chinese mitten crab's threat to local ecosystems
While these crabs are famous for their disruptive abilities, such as outcompeting native species for food and habitat, Oregon officials are concerned due to the fact that the crab may have been illegally introduced to the area by humans or via ballast water as larvae.
A fisherman caught this mitten crab and immediately reported finding it to ODFW. Photo: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
As this new sighting means the species could spread to other areas of the Pacific Coast, residents of the area are encouraged to report any additional sightings of the crab with photographs and location to help them to manage the situation.
