European shore crabs found in the Quillayute River in Washington

Invasive European shore crabs (EGC) have been discovered in a new area of ​​coastal Washington. They were first discovered in the mouth of the Quillayute River near La Push. According to the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), European shore crabs are an invasive species that threaten shellfish, seagrasses, and estuarine habitats. They are commonly found in shallow waters.

Using traps and hand-catching, WDFW, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and Washington Sea Grant caught 33 crabs at this site. This is the first documented occurrence of these invasive crabs in the North Central 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.

European shore crabs have been sighted in Washington since 2016. Efforts to control European shore crabs have been extensive. In 2024 alone, WDFW, in collaboration with multiple agencies and partners, removed over 258,000 European shore crabs from Washington waters. In 2021, European shore crab densities were five to ten times higher than in the late 1990s.

“European shore crabs do not respect jurisdictional boundaries,” said Justin Bush, WDFW’s aquatic invasive species policy coordinator. “This situation shows how tribal nations, the state and researchers can work together to address a shared environmental threat.”

Residents who suspect they encounter European shore crabs or their shells are asked to take photos and report them using the WDFW online form or the WA Invasives mobile app. The public is reminded that possession of live shore crabs is illegal in WA and tampering with traps is discouraged. For more information on regulations and reporting, visit the WDFW website.

The WDFW provides an interactive map and graphics that illustrate the work being done to control the EGC.

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