The European green crab is a concern to the community and the environment, but your Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries team has been working on this issue since the first larva discovered in 2019.
While there has been an increase in this species within Lax Kw’alaams Traditional Waters, please be advised that the population in this area is massively smaller than the populations that have established in other parts of the province.
This summer, Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries technical team spent 15 days trapping and removing this invasive species from Lax Kw’alaams traditional waters, despite our limited funding for this work.
Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Technicians remain vigilant in removing this species wherever it can be found; however, it is an extremely large territory and our team can use your help. Any time a community member is in an intertidal area, please keep an eye out for the European Green Crab, and report back to the Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Department, if found.
In January, Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries and DFO will be coming to Lax Kw’alaams to provide information on the European Green Crab, and what citizens can do to help maintain the environment from this invasive species.
We would like to invite community members with concerns about the European Green Crab to attend, and to ensure that members have all the updated information your Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries staff can provide you with.
Identification of Green Crab can be confusing because not all green crabs will be green. You can identify them by the following traits:
- 5 points on each side of the eye
- Carapace shape and length are similar
- The species is generally very small, up to 10 cm or 3.5 inches
- Found in the intertidal zone and on rocky beaches
If you find a Green Crab and need confirmation, take a picture, and send to [email protected] for confirmation and instructions on disposal. Do not release back into the water, do not kill on site. Do not dispose of carcasses back in the water.
The Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Department Team looks forward to hearing from you and seeing you all in January to discuss this species in person.
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions you might have.
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