A record number of European green crabs have been trapped in Blaine so far this year, a sign that years of control efforts may be paying off in the fight against the invasive crustaceans.
Over 900 of the crabs — initially spotted in Drayton Harbor in 2019 — have been caught since mid-April. Last year’s season yielded just over 750 crabs from April through October.
Allie Simpson, ecosystem project coordinator at Northwest Straits Commission, attributes the growing number to a few reasons.
Local scientists are gaining a better understanding of the areas with higher populations, and some crews have been using shrimp-style traps, which are larger and sturdier, making them an effective tool. The downside is that they’re harder for field crews to use, according to Simpson.
“Also with the mild winter, we had a lot more young crabs that we typically see in the fall survive the winter,” Simpson said. “So instead of dying off due to freezes and things like that, they ended up surviving, and so now we’re still seeing a lot of those crabs that we missed from last fall showing up this year.”
Drayton Harbor is a hot spot for these crustaceans, with a high catch rate of 46 crabs per 100 traps. The mouths of Dakota and California creeks are also common areas for them to be.
“This is the kind of catch rate we typically see in the fall when we’re finding lots of the young green crabs show up for the first time, and so that’s about the catch rate we see in, like, September, October,” Simpson said.
Crews in Blaine are also monitoring the number of other species they trap to get a feel for the impact the green crabs are having on native species.
Birch Bay falls on the other end of the spectrum.
From the two trapping locations in Birch Bay — Terrell Creek and a site in a residential area in Birch Bay Village — just 13 crabs have been trapped so far, with a catch rate of 1.6 crabs per 100 traps.
In 2024, there were 418 trap checks and 59 crabs caught. In 2025, 40 green crabs were caught and 600 trap checks were done.
So far this year, there have been 830 trap checks.
“Seeing that positive trend of more trapping effort, less crabs, is always the goal, and that’s what we’re seeing in Birch Bay,” said Micah Mitchell, a regional biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “So far it has been a success and we’re going to continue putting that effort in.”
Crabs caught in Birch Bay have been adult crabs, ranging in size from 59 to 77 millimeters. Mitchell said these crabs are likely from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts.
“We haven’t caught any from the 2025 cohort yet. Those pop up mid to early fall, so we’ll be keeping an eye on those numbers as we get closer to that end-of-the-year boom that usually does happen,” Mitchell said.
Often, scientists need access to private property to ensure they are setting traps in active areas. Residents on shoreline properties are encouraged to reach out to the Northwest Straits Commission or Fish and Wildlife if they would like to provide access for trapping crews.
European green crabs pose a significant risk to local ecosystems. They are burrowing creatures, favoring areas with eelgrass beds, which they will tear up from the roots and eat the seeds. These beds are crucial in providing habitat for juvenile fish and other native species. European green crabs also primarily eat shellfish.
Crab trapping status statewide varies, but the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has created a six-year management plan, which can be found at wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02537.
If beachgoers think they spot European green crabs, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife asks that people take a photo, mark the location, report it and leave the crab alone.
Not only is it illegal to have a live European green crab in one’s possession, but this also helps to avoid mistakenly disturbing native crab species.
A reporting form is online at wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/invasive/greatest-concern/egc#id, which includes information for identifying green crabs.
Those interested in volunteering to help with trapping efforts can visit wsgcrabteam.uw.edu for more information on the Washington Sea Grant Crab Team.
Volunteer opportunities include both physically demanding fieldwork and more accessible roles.
