As green crab invasion takes toll on Maine clams, researchers worry that lobsters are next victim

[jpak]

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/07/09/environment/as-green-crab-invasion-takes-toll-on-maine-clams-researchers-worry-that-lobsters-are-next-victim/

FREEPORT, Maine — Clammer Clint Goodenow motored his skiff up to a small white buoy in the Harraseeket River on Monday afternoon and began pulling up yards of rope from the bay floor below.

After reaching the end of the rope, he leaned over the side of the boat and plunged his hands into the water, grabbing hold of a black metal trap. In what appeared to be a delicate balance, Goodenow heaved the trap into the small boat, positioned it above a gray rectangular storage container, and flipped open the latch at the bottom.

Dozens of European green crabs crashed into the container — some 1 or 2 inches across, others 5 or 6. He then pounded the top and sides of the trap to knock loose the remaining crabs.

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The crabs, previously held at bay by long, cold winters, have swelled in number in the past couple of decades because of rising water temperatures that no longer keep their populations in check.

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[pinto]

1. Wow, first I've heard of this. Thanks for the post / link.

[WestStar]

2. I got your green crabs right here

BRING IT!

?w=420&h=236

‘Monster’ Lobster Caught Off Gloucester

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/09/monster-lobster-caught-off-gloucester/

[NickB79]

3. Nope. Crabs still come out the winner.

“When the clams are gone, what are they going to eat? People may think lobsters are big and tough, but they’re not.”

Kanwit said in lab tests pitting lobsters against green crabs, the crabs have dominated. They don’t have evidence of this phenomenon in the wild yet, she said, but lobstermen are reporting catching green crabs in deeper water than they have ever seen.

That particular lobster's size might protect it, but when virtually all it's offspring are consumed within their first few years by crabs, it's game over for the lobster populations.