1st Chesapeake Blue Crab found on Ireland Coast

[underpants]

https://chesapeakebaymagazine.com/1st-chesapeake-blue-crab-found-on-ireland-coast/

The Chesapeake Bay blue crab, icon of our region, has turned up in Irish waters for the first time ever. And wildlife experts there say its presence could pose a serious threat to native marine life.

Blue crabs are an invasive species in Europe, like snakeheads or blue catfish here on the Bay. Marine scientists consider them a large and aggressive crab species, highly effective at reproducing.

A breeding population of blue crabs began to establish in the Mediterranean Sea around 2012. How did they get there? Wall says it’s likely they arrived via ballast waters from ships traveling from America. There are now blue crab fisheries established on the Mediterranean, some of which import the crab into Europe.

Wall says the invasive blue crab has had a major impact on marine ecosystems in the Mediterranean, “wiping out native shellfish species and fouling and damaging fishing nets.” He notes they have no natural predators in Europe, so the population is difficult to control.

[CentralMass]

1. It was a long swim..

[Xavier Breath]

2. Maybe he hitched a ride on that Walrus that showed up

in Ireland last week. It's more fun to travel with someone.

[Mr.Bill]

3. Put Old Bay seasoning in European grocery stores.

Then the crabs will have a natural predator - Humans.

[musette_sf]

4. beat me to it 😜

[Haggard Celine]

7. That's what I'm thinking, too.

Or they could use Zatarain's like we do down here. If they don't want those crabs they can send them to me. I'll put them in gumbo and marinate the claws and make crab puffs and bisque. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I understand how it's frustrating to have an invasive species in your fishing grounds, but if they'll start serving more dishes with crabmeat, the problem will take care of itself.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. Beat me as well!

Maryland crabs with Old Bay..... Yum!

[Klaralven]

6. What is the tastier marine life they are threatening?

[NightWatcher]

8. I'm trying to imagine "chowdah" with a sweet Irish lilt.