Scientists at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) are stumped by missing crabs. Back in 2006, a crabber caught a Chinese mitten crab, and shortly after scientist confirmed its identity, reports from all over, including as far north as the Hudson River, found hundreds of the crabs. SERC even set up a hotline to report the sightings as scientists braced for an invasion.
They received dozens of reports through 2009, when sightings began to slow. Finally, the last confirmed sighting in Maryland was in 2009, and in the Hudson in 2014. Now scientists are wondering if the crabs are in the Chesapeake Bay at all.
While this could be interpreted as a huge win and missed bullet for the Bay, scientists Greg Ruiz and Darrick Sparks worry that the crabs are flying under the radar. In other parts of the world, such as San Francisco Bay and in Europe, the crabs have caused severe damage by clogging water systems, disrupting fishing, and harming river beds with their burrows.
This year, SERC scientists are reigniting their search. They have re-vamped their website, and they are encouraging boaters, crabbers, government officials, etc. to report crab sightings and preserve the crabs. Scientists say to not throw the crab back alive: instead, freeze it and report it to their website or SERCMittenCrab [at] si.edu or 443-482-2222.
Original article by Kristen Minogue.