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An invasive species has taken over the coastline of Maine and is now threatening our economy- the Green Crab. These creepy-crawly creatures came from the ballasts of European ships in the mid-1800s, yet as ocean temperatures are rising, they have become more of a problem than anybody could have imagined. The abundance of clams and mussels in our ocean has become their main source of nutrition, leaving Maine’s clam industry with less and less. Data collected by Maine’s Department of Resources recorded 38.4 million pounds of clams harvested in Maine in 1977, while just 9.2 million pounds of clams were harvested in 2015. Green Crabs eat mussels, another large part of Maine’s fishing industry, and tear down eelgrass during hunting, which hosts larvae for fish, shellfish, and lobster. Along with this, their rapid reproduction terminates all chances of keeping a balanced ecosystem. For the sake of both the economy and the ecosystem, we as Mainers need to take action now.
There are many different theories regarding how to handle the situation. One of the most popular methods people have discussed is a trapping system. If each fishing boat was given traps or money to buy traps, they could try to get the Green Crabs out of the ocean as they were doing their normal catches. This plan seems fairly simple, yet many are worried that this is not the answer. Unfortunately, time is a key factor in the spread of the Green Crabs. If they are not removed or decreased soon, one of Maine’s biggest businesses is at a deadly risk. Because of this, the idea of trapping these crabs seems unpractical.
Another plan in discussion is building fences that separate Green Crabs from some clam and mussel populations. In doing so clams and mussels would be able to reproduce and thrive in their environment with no threat of these predators. There is much debate regarding the practicality of this. One on hand, Maine’s fishers could harvest from these fenced-in areas as well as foster populations to flourish. On the other, this only solves one very small part of the problem. Yes, this may be economically beneficial, but the ecosystem is still at stake. While clams and mussels inside the fence are growing and living, the Green Crabs will still be infesting Maine’s waters. They will still be eating the natural populations and damaging the ecosystem. We must fix the entire problem, not only a particular part.
Fortunately, there may be a way to both remove the Green Crabs and financially gain from it. The Tautog fish is very popular in seafood, many recreational fishers seek to catch them as well and is also a predator of the Green Crab. Using the Green Crabs as Tautog bait could be a perfect plan for both the economy and the ecosystem. We would both remove the problem and use the crabs practically. From Nova Scotia to the Carolinas people hunt these fish, so Maine could keep the Crabs as bait and sell them in the state, as well as export them to other states. This solution is a perfect blend between saving our waters and keeping a stable economy.
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