New England is fighting invasive green crabs by putting them on the menu
New England communities are attempting to control the invasive European green crab population by promoting them as a culinary product. By harvesting these crabs for food, pet treats, and other goods, locals hope to protect native species and the shellfish industry from further ecological damage.
Why it matters
Invasive species cause significant economic and environmental harm; this market-based approach offers a sustainable model for ecosystem management.
Since time immemorial, humans have been consuming food derived from the land, air and water. From vegetables and birds to even crabs, there is not much we have not used to survive on. But currently, people in New England are feasting on green crabs not to survive themselves but to help the native species subsist. Every morning in Maine's York River, fishers look for the region's most despised crabs and find few that end up on someone's plate, according to a report by AP.The trick is to identify invasive European green crabs that are about to shed their hard shell or moult, revealing a softer exterior that has the feel of a leather couch and is in demand at restaurants. Not only do these crabs fetch more money, $3 per crab at the market, but catching them is also doing a service for the ocean's ecosystem.
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