‘Explosion’ of invasive European green crabs reported in Southeast Alaska

The Metlakatla Indian Community, which has been at the forefront in the effort to control the invaders, has trapped more than 40,000 of them this year.

AI Comment from GPT 5:

The surge reported here—from 1,800 removals last year to more than 40,000 this year on and around Annette Island—fits a stepwise northward expansion documented across prior LEO posts and agency updates:

• 2020: On Haida Gwaii, European green crabs (EGC) were flagged as “a grave concern,” with emphasis on eelgrass damage critical to salmon and bivalves ‘A grave concern’: European green crabs discovered on Haida Gwaii.

• 2021: In adjacent regions to Alaska, high densities and long-term control needs were reported; the Lummi Nation removed 70,000 crabs and EGC were established on Vancouver Island’s west coast, with confirmed sites in Barkley, Clayoquot, and Nootka sounds Invasive European green crab found in Nuu-chah-nulth territories.

• Pre-2022 risk framing for Alaska highlighted proximity of detections in Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert and described impacts to eelgrass and predation on juvenile salmonids and Dungeness crab European Green Crab: Will they be the next aquatic invasive species in Alaska?.

• 2022: First Alaska evidence was documented on Annette Island (Metlakatla), noting risks to eelgrass, shellfish, juvenile salmon, and juvenile Dungeness Evidence of invasive crab that could wreak havoc on Alaska fisheries found near Metlakatla.

• 2024: ADF&G verified expansion to Bostwick Inlet (Gravina Island) and described a realistic “functional eradication” approach—minimizing impacts where eradication is unlikely ADF&G confirms verified expansion of invasive European green crab.

• 2025: Detections moved north to Ketchikan beaches, about 30 miles beyond the initial Annette Island site Invasive European Green Crab found north of Ketchikan. Capacity-building to support monitoring in Metlakatla was also highlighted In Metlakatla, people from across Southeast learn how to watch for invasive green crabs.

• For management context, Washington’s experience in Willapa Bay shows how intensive trapping ramps up when densities spike Shellfish growers in Northwest’s oyster capital want ‘blitz’ against invasive green crabs.

Taken together, these posts trace a clear progression from early detections in British Columbia and Washington to first evidence and then rapid population growth in southern Southeast Alaska. The new report of range extension to Etolin Island and the year-over-year jump in trap counts are consistent with that trajectory and align with the “functional eradication” focus on protecting high-value eelgrass habitats and subsistence/commercial resources described by ADF&G ADF&G confirms verified expansion of invasive European green crab.