Document Type

Vignette

Publication Date

5-2021

Keywords

State of the Salish Sea, Salish Sea, crab, habitat, ecosystem, invasive species, Puget Sound

Abstract

European green crab pose documented threats to cultured and wild shellfish, eelgrass, and shoreline habitats and ecosystems. Because they can prey on juvenile crabs and shellfish, dense populations of EGC in the Salish Sea region could put fisheries and aquaculture resources in peril. After Fisheries and Oceans Canada researchers reported an established EGC population in Sooke Basin, BC in 2012, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) worked with Washington Sea Grant (WSG) to secure Puget Sound Marine and Nearshore Grant Program funding and establish a volunteer-based early detection and monitoring program. WSG launched Crab Team in 2015 with seven pilot sites. The program expanded to 26 sites the following year and has monitored more than 50 sites each year since. Concurrent with early detection monitoring, a team led by WDFW developed the Salish Sea Transboundary Action Plan for Invasive European Green Crab, providing a foundation for prevention, early detection, rapid response, research, and coordinated management throughout the Salish Sea.

Publication Title

State of the Salish Sea

First Page

186

Last Page

189

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/vfhb-3a69

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

Salish Sea Institute

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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