Anyone interested in helping me control invasive species in Oregon? Specifically, European Green Crab?

[u/daeglo]

You're gonna laugh, but I'm a local vegan who really, really wants to help get the European green crab problem under control in Oregon. It's a serious problem as they decimate local shellfish populations, as well as feeding on the eggs of and out-competing local crab species. What's worse, they destroy eel grass patches that provide food and shelter for local wildlife and migrating species.

Unfortunately, one person is only allowed to harvest 35 EG crab a day and there's no way that my husband and myself could possibly ever make a dent in their numbers on our own. I'd like to get a group of similarly interested folks together to make regular trips to Siletz Bay and other places where this species has become a serious threat. I'm just trying to gauge interest before say, starting an official Meetup group or something like that.

Both the crab and its caviar are both delicious and edible. So you can eat what you harvest. Otherwise, whatever you catch you are legally required to destroy. You can't even release little ones you find. They can live for weeks outside of water, so the best way to destroy them is to freeze them and then smash them with a hammer. They make wonderful garden fertilizer, as well, if you're a gardener like me.

If there's enough interest, I'd love to be able to help tackle the problem of other local invasive species. Is anyone here aware of other species in Oregon that are presently a threat?

Thanks for reading!

UPDATE: Please follow this thread for further updates https://www.reddit.com/r/Eugene/s/sAf9UC5Y3Z 🦀

[u/Phasmus]

I was just watching the Oregon Field Guide report on those guys and wondering how they taste. Not sure about availability for regular coast trips but I'm definitely interested.

[u/daeglo → u/Phasmus]

Apparently in Oregon we're allowed to crab year-round, but the best time is between September and December, so the big window has already passed. Also, I'm not sure you need a crabbing license to go out for EGC, but I'm planning to ask ODFW about that soon.

It will take some time to get things organized before making the first trip, so no worries there. Besides, after the icestorm cameth I'm not sure I want to go out immediately or anything like that.

[u/Legitimate_Stick_820 → u/daeglo]

If I’m not mistaken a crabbing license is required due to the chance of catching native species. Even though no one would keep them your still somewhat “harvesting” them by taking them out of the water.

[u/daeglo → u/Legitimate_Stick_820]

Doing more research, a clamming and crabbing license is required if you're 12 or older, and I'll have to do more research on the cost but I think it's less than $20. If this is a barrier for interested people, we'll just have to figure out a way to remove that barrier.