The crabs are shellfish predators, credited with the decline of the softshell clam fishery in Maine. They also uproot eelgrass beds, which serve as habitat for herring and salmon.
"Linda Shaw"
Scientists look for invasive crab ‘fingerprint’ in Alaska waters
On the east coast, these hardy crustaceans are known as aggressive eaters and have meant millions of dollars lost in fisheries for clams, mussels and scallops. The crab are destructive to eelgrass beds, which are important to young fish. They’re also known to eat juvenile salmon and could compete with native Dungeness crab.