Episode 3: How Washington Got Crabs and How to Treat Them

Get your gulls! Here’s how the P. Detective proposes we get rid of our crabs.

Let’s talk about crabs, baby…Let’s talk about you and me…

This episode is all about crabs! We start out by explaining how some cat (M. Mapper) put miniature GPS trackers on snails and some other cat added them to crabs. We share our newly acquired knowledge about invasive European green crabs found in the Salish Sea, how the lil buggers may have gotten here, and why these little green (but sometimes not) crabs are so destructive. We also talk about pocket estuaries and how much juvenile salmon love them! I mean, what cat wouldn’t want to live in a pocket estuary?!

In our GIS segment, we discuss the importance of collecting accurate location data in order to track range and distribution - head over to our How To page for more information on the buffer tool (and caticorns) and other GIS concepts discussed in this episode. Also, check out the link to the Crab Team’s interactive map.

To close out, we highlight different ways you can help track green crabs in the Salish Sea and how to become involved in SeaGrant’s Crab Team.

We have no patience for your crabs

To learn how to identify European green crabs, see this link, or this link. If you think you see a green crab, don’t pick it up. Rather, snap a photo and get GPS coordinates or the best location information you can, and report the sighting here or here.

Will the green crab make it out alive? Unfortunately, probably yes, unless we can train the cats (or gulls) to do our bidding…with our bidding being eating all of the green crabs from places where they don’t belong!

If you liked this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts (after January 22) and rate and review us! Even better, subscribe there! We’re trying to make it into the New and Noteworthy section and your rating, review and subscription will help get us there. Thanks in advance! You’re the best!