2. “We will return to our regularly
scheduled program after a few
short messages…”
3. “Our Bay is under attack!”
“Not by ships, jets, or even aliens, but by a 3.5 inch Crustacean known as
the European Green Crab.”
4. “Native to the north-east Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea, the European Green
Crab (Carcinus maenas) has moved into habitats in South
Africa, Australia, Japan, and both coasts of North America. This little crab
hitchhiked to the Untied States in the 1800’s. Most likely through ballast
water, packing material or live bait.
5. “This little green crab has already been charged with the destruction of
the soft-shell clam fisheries on the East Coast, and in the reduction of
other bivalve populations such as mollusks.”
Grrrr!
6. • “Other victims of the European Green
Crabs’ veracious appetite include:
• Oysters
• Dungeness Crab
• Young fish”
“If left unchecked, this crab can
have disastrous impacts on
commercial and recreational
fisheries!”
Your seafood is mine
for the taking!
8. “Ballast water is thought to be the main
transporter of the European Green Crab, and
regulations have been put into place to prevent
this species from hitchhiking in water tanks.”
“State and Federal Programs such as the
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force work to
research and develop ways to manage invasive
species.”
10. “I am so glad you asked!”
• “Drain water from boats and
equipment in the same area
you got it from.
• Clean boats, nets, and
other fishing equipment
before entering a new body
of water.
• Never dispose of unwanted
material in the water.
• If you think you have seen
one of these crabs, call your
local fish and wildlife
representative at (555) 555-
5555.”
13. Bibliography
• Invasive.org: Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. (2009, November
27). I am a fisherman/boater why should I care about invasive species?.
Retrieved from http://www.invasive.org/101/FishermanBoater.html
• Must have at least 6 references. The 3
supplied in module 4.10 as well as 3 the
student has found.
