An Invasive Species on Martha’s

Vineyard
By Katherine Donegan

The aliens have invaded. They can be found

strutting around Martha’s Vineyard waters,
gobbling up our scallops, limiting biodiversity,
and causing fishermen everywhere much grief. In
fact, they are so hated that they have a bounty
price on their head. These are the European
Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas), and these foreign
pests have intruded on our ecosystems.
The Green Crab is an omnivore, eating
various prey from over 104 families. Most
offensively the crab preys on soft-shell clams,
quahogs, oysters and scallops. Female Green
Crabs can reproduce twice in one season,
producing up to 185,000 eggs at a time.
Unfortunately, this crab can be abundantly found
all over New England in shallow waters,
including estuaries. Their lives can span from
3-5 years, and they progressively move from
intertidal zones to sub tidal zones. Its five,
evenly spaced, spines found behind the eyes on
the shell can identify the Green Crab. Color is
not a reliable trait to identify them with
because their name is almost a misnomer; they
can have coloration ranging from red to yellow
to green.
True to its name, the European Green Crab
originates from the North, East Atlantic, and
Baltic Seas, and can be commonly found in Europe
from Norway all the way down to Mauritania and
Northern Africa. The Green Crab has arrived on
Martha’s Vineyard, and North America, through
ship ballast water, currents, the hulls of
ships, and aqua cultural activities, among
others. The crab was first discovered in North
America in 1817 on the East Coast, and has moved
west there on, arriving in San Francisco Bay
from 1989-1990.
These intrusive crabs have a very negative
impact on the local ecosystem. It’s ability to
displace native species, specifically through
competition, is very threatening. The Green Crab
has also significantly impacted the scallop
industry on the island, by being partially
responsible for the declined population of
scallops. From 1992-1996 the fleets dwindled
from 100 boats down to less than 20. Their
characteristically broad niches, maneuverability
and adaptability increase their chances of
survival, and decrease their vulnerability.
The European Crab threatens shellfish
populations and is a long-term predator to
native bird and marine organism species.
Although it is nearly impossible to eliminate
this crab, methods have been employed to try
and decrease the threat. These methods
include a bounty program, trapping, and
efforts to prevent new migration. A European
barnacle is also under consideration for
importation, as it is a natural predator for
the crab that weakens exoskeletons and causes
sterility. Although it appears like the
barnacle would be a very effective measure to
take, ecologists must consider the toll these
foreign barnacles would have on native
species.
 “Invasive ecology” is a growing threat
affecting everyone all over the world,
including our small island of Martha’s
Vineyard. To limit its effects on our
ecosystem, we must take precautions such as
thoroughly cleaning our boats, and trapping
these crabs, so we can continue to enjoy our
garlic and butter scallops that our island as
so perfected.