Green crabs were first spotted in Casco Bay in the early 1900s after moving northward from Massachusetts waters where they were introduced nearly a century before. In recent years, green crabs have become one of the most common crab species in Vacationland, wreaking havoc on some of the state’s most valuable fisheries and vulnerable ecosystems. Cold winters that historically kept green crab populations in check are no longer common and as climate change continues to warm the Gulf of Maine, green crab populations could increase. The invasive certainly doesn’t have a great reputation in Maine considering they’ve singlehandedly destroyed the soft-shell clam fishery (a single green crab can eat up to 40 clams in a day), compete with local crabs and lobster, and destroy important eelgrass habitats. Many have launched diversified efforts to monitor the invasive, control their populations, prevent predation of clams, and spread awareness of their invasive impact.
This summer, GreenCrab.org worked with several organizations and restaurants across the bay to spread awareness of invasive green crabs, remove them from Casco’s waters, and put the problem on plates!
