Washington’s diverse and productive salt marshes and pocket estuaries, already threatened by shoreline development and pollution, now face a new invader. The European green crab (Carcinus maenas), considered one of the world’s worst invasive species, recently entered inland waters of Washington. If a population establishes, it could threaten native habitats and species.
WSG, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and partners have teamed up to lead a volunteer-based early detection and monitoring program to improve our understanding of native salt marsh and pocket estuary organisms, and how they could be affected by green crabs.
Program name
Washington Sea Grant
Location
Washington Salish Sea
State
Washington
Purpose
A volunteer-based early detection and monitoring program for European green crab in the Washington Salish Sea.
Partners
Washington Sea Grant; Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Project Topics
Invasive Species
Species Monitoring/Conservation/Phenology
Project Website
