European green crabs detected in Quillayute River estuary near La Push

Joint survey results in first time invasive species found on Washington’s North Central Coast.

LA PUSH – Invasive European green crabs (EGC) have been captured for the first time in a new area of the Washington Coast.

The week of Aug. 5-8, the Quileute Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), and Washington Sea Grant conducted a joint survey for EGC near the port of La Push. Trap sites included the Quileute Marina on the Quileute Reservation, as well as nearby areas within the Quillayute River estuary.

Quileute, WDFW, NWIFC, and Washington Sea Grant staff removed 33 EGC using both traps and hand captures. This is the first time the small but harmful crab species has been detected in the North Central Coast Management Area.

“The detection of invasive crabs around La Push is not surprising given their populations to the north in Makah Bay and to the south in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay,” said Chelsey Buffington, WDFW’s European green crab project lead.

“Quileute Tribe has been deploying crab traps within the Quillayute River system since 2021with no EGC captures,” said Jennifer Hagen, Marine Policy Advisor/Marine Biologist with Quileute Natural Resources. “Since trapping efforts by others to the north and south along the coast have found crab populations that number in the thousands, Quileute Natural Resources proposed to team up with WDFW staff and conduct what was dubbed a “bio-blitz”. Now that we know they are here in the Quillayute River system, our management strategy will need to revisited. Ultimately our concern is the displacement of native species and species that are of cultural importance to the Quileute Tribe.”

“European green crabs do not respect jurisdictional boundaries,” said Justin Bush, WDFW Aquatic Invasive Species policy coordinator and the state’s EGC Emergency Incident Commander. “This is an excellent example of tribal nations, the state, and researchers working together to address a shared problem that threatens our environment and coastal economies.”

“This detection provides an opportunity to keep EGC numbers low and avoid harm to tribal, cultural, environmental, or economic resources,” added Buffington.

Dungeness crabs were also caught and released at numerous trap sites and Dungeness molts spotted throughout the survey area — positive signs that the native crab population is doing well.

The European green crab is a damaging invasive species that threatens native shellfish, eelgrass, and estuary habitat critical for salmon and many other species. The species is a type of shore crab found in shallow areas — typically less than 25 feet of water — including estuaries, mudflats, intertidal zones, and beaches.

WDFW, co-managers, tribes, shellfish growers, and other agencies and partners have removed more than 258,000 EGC from Washington waters so far in 2024, most from Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor on the southern Washington coast. EGC numbers have decreased significantly in areas of the North Puget Sound Region in recent years due to sustained heavy trapping by WDFW, tribes, shellfish growers, and partners.

An interactive map showing management areas with catch counts updated monthly is available on WDFW’s European Green Crab Hub at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrabhub.

As capacity and resources allow, teams will continue monitoring the La Push area and trapping EGC to help prevent impacts on native shellfish or estuary habitat. Quileute Tribe intends to develop larger-scale plans for the 2025 trapping season in coordination with the WDFW and partners.

If you find a suspected European green crab or its shell in Washington, take photos and report it as soon as possible. Public reports and photos of suspected EGC can be submitted using the form available at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrab or through the Washington Invasive Species Council’s WA Invasives mobile app. Crab identification guides and resources are also available on the European green crab online hub and the WDFW EGC webpage.

As a Prohibited invasive species, it is illegal to possess a live EGC in Washington. Currently, WDFW is not asking the public to kill suspected EGC. This is to protect native crabs, which are often misidentified. More information on EGC rules and regulations is available on WDFW’s webpage and in the 2024-25 Sport Fishing Rules.

The public is asked not to tamper with EGC traps, which are usually deployed in shallow areas exposed at low tide. They are typically identified with a bright orange buoy and an official tag or permit.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.