Results of a joint investigation: Invasive species were discovered for the first time on the North Central Coast of Washington.
LA PUSH – Invasive European shore crabs (EGC) have been caught for the first time in a new area off the coast of Washington.
During the week of August 5-8, the Quileute Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), and Washington Sea Grant conducted a joint survey for EGC near La Push Harbor. Fishing sites included the Quileute Marina on the Quileute Reservation as well as nearby areas within the mouth of the Quillayute River.
Quileute, WDFW, NWIFC and Washington Sea Grant staff removed 33 EGC using traps and hand catches. This is the first time this small but dangerous crab species has been discovered in the North Central Coast Management Area.
“The discovery of invasive crabs around La Push is not surprising given their populations to the north in Makah Bay and to the south in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay,” said Chelsey Buffington, European shore crab project manager at WDFW.
“The Quileute Tribe has been using crab traps in the Quillayute River system since 2021 with no EGC catches,” said Jennifer Hagen, marine policy advisor/marine biologist with Quileute Natural Resources. “Because trapping efforts by others north and south along the coast have discovered crab populations of several thousand, Quileute Natural Resources proposed partnering with WDFW personnel and conducting what we call a ‘bio-blitz.’ Now that we know they are here in the Quillayute River system, our management strategy needs to be reconsidered. Ultimately, we are concerned about the displacement of native species and species that are culturally important to the Quileute Tribe.”
“European shore crabs do not respect jurisdictional boundaries,” said Justin Bush, WDFW aquatic invasive species policy coordinator and the state’s EGC incident commander. “This is an excellent example of tribal nations, the state and researchers working together to address a common problem that threatens our environment and coastal economy.”
“This discovery offers the opportunity to keep EGC numbers low and avoid harm to tribal, cultural, environmental or economic resources,” Buffington added.
In addition, Dungeness crabs were caught and released at numerous trap sites, and Dungeness molts were observed throughout the study area – positive signs that the native crab population is doing well.
The European shore crab is a damaging invasive species that threatens native shellfish, seagrasses, and estuarine habitat critical to salmon and many other species. The species is a shore crab found in shallow areas—typically less than 25 feet of water—including estuaries, mudflats, intertidal zones, and beaches.
WDFW, co-managers, tribes, shellfish farmers and other agencies and partners have removed more than 258,000 EGC from Washington waters so far in 2024, most of it from Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor on Washington’s south coast. EGC numbers have declined significantly in areas of the North Puget Sound region in recent years due to continued heavy trapping by WDFW, tribes, shellfish farmers and partners.
An interactive map showing management areas with monthly updated catch numbers is available on WDFW’s European Green Crab Hub at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrabhub.
As capacity and resources allow, teams will continue to monitor the La Push area and catch EGC to prevent impacts to native shellfish or estuarine habitat. The Quileute Tribe intends to develop large-scale plans for the 2025 fishing season in coordination with WDFW and partners.
If you find a suspicious shore crab or its shell in Washington, take photos and report it as soon as possible. Public reports and photographs of suspected EGC can be submitted using the form available at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrab or through the Washington Invasive Species Council’s WA Invasives app. Crab identification guides and resources are also available on the WDFW’s online European Green Crab Hub and EGC webpage.
Because it is a banned invasive species, it is illegal to possess a live EGC in Washington. Currently, WDFW does not encourage the public to kill suspected EGC. This is to protect native crabs, which are often misidentified. For more information on EGC rules and regulations, visit the WDFW webpage and the 2024-25 Sport Fishing Rules.
The public is asked not to tamper with EGC traps, which are typically set in shallow areas exposed at low tide and are usually marked with a bright orange buoy and an official label or permit.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is committed to protecting and conserving fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities for fish and wildlife harvesting.
