New England is fighting invasive green crabs by putting them on the menu
New England's creative solution to invasive green crabs involves incorporating them into the local diet and economy. Fishermen now target these soft-shelled crabs, which are gaining popularity and higher prices. Emerging markets for green crab products, including pet snacks and whiskey infusions, aim to counteract the harmful effects of this invasive species while boosting the economy.
Humans have long used food from land, air, and water. In New England, people are now consuming green crabs to aid native species, not for survival. In York River, Maine, fishers rarely find these invasive European green crabs suitable for consumption. These crabs, known for their soft shells, command higher prices of $3 each at markets.
They are being turned into a premium seafood product by a company called shell+claw, which is led by a former marine science teacher, Mike Masi. Masi and others are developing new markets to mitigate the crabs' destructive impact on the local ecosystem. Green crabs consume shellfish, destroy eelgrass beds, and damage salt marsh banks, costing the region's shellfish industry millions annually.
Climate change has aided their population growth. Despite the campaign against the crab invasion being grassroots, few fishermen are catching them, and there is no infrastructure to process and transport the catch to markets. While Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine have taken steps to facilitate green crab consumption, only Massachusetts offers incentives to catch them.
Washington state has spent over $38 million on crab eradication efforts. In New England, there is a growing demand for green crabs, with restaurants incorporating them into various dishes, including sandwiches, pasta, and sauces.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
