News
Background
Scientists suggest that green crabs (Carcinus maenas), originally from Europe, reached U.S. shores in the mid-1800s after riding across the Atlantic in the ballast water on ships.... read more about the crab's background in Maine.
Current Status and Efforts to Control the Spread of Green Crabs
The green crab population in some areas of Maine has increased dramatically in recent years, and they have been feeding on shellfish resources such as blue mussels and soft-shell clams, threatening the state's third-largest wild fishery.... read more about current status and control efforts as of December 2013
Information and Presentations
- Identifying the Green Crab (PDF file, 1 page)
- Identifying the Sex, and How to Measure Green Crabs (PDF file, 1 page)
- Catching Green Crabs (PDF file, 1.3 MB, 12 slides by Bowden-Penobscot Shellfish Committee, 2014)
- History of Green Crabs and Control Methods in New England (PDF file, 1.3 MB, 10 slides, Nault DMR, 2014)
- One-day Green Crab Trapping Survey August 27-28, 2013 (PDF file, 8 pages, final report)
- Downeast Institute's 2014 Field Trials (PDF file, 49 pages, 2.7 MB)
Links
Resources
- Gear Suppliers List (PDF file, 1 page)
- Maine Green Crab Harvesting License Application
- Chapter 25 Regulations - See 25.40
- Army Corp of Engineers Guide to Fencing (PDF file, 2 pages)