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Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Aquatic Invasive Species Division
ais@dfw.wa.gov
1-888-WDFW-AIS
March 14, 2025
European Green Crab Management Update
Winter 2024 Quarterly Report and detections map now available
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)'s latest quarterly report on management and trapping of invasive European green crabs is now available online:
European Green Crab Quarterly Progress Report – Winter 2024 (October 1 to December 31, 2024)
Previous reports and updates are archived on the European green crab (EGC) species webpage.
WDFW has also published the latest annual map showing where EGC were detected in 2024 by the Department's Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division staff, co-managers, tribes, other state and federal agencies, and permitted trapping and monitoring partners. A copy of the map is below and a larger version is available online.
More than 1 million European green crabs were trapped and removed in 2024, most from Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor on the southern Washington coast. Green crab catch numbers have decreased in areas of the North Puget Sound Region in recent years due to sustained heavy trapping by WDFW, tribes, shellfish growers, and partners.
More EGC catch information is available in the latest quarterly report and on WDFW's online data hub at: wdfw.wa.gov/greencrabhub.
Additionally, a recorded presentation and discussion on cooperative green crab management held on Feb. 26, 2025 during Invasive Species Awareness Week featuring staff from WDFW, the Washington Invasive Species Council, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Ecology is now available on YouTube.
Most recent Emergency Measures Status Update (March 8, 2025)
Per RCW 77.135.090, the WDFW Director continues to evaluate the effects of the European Green Crab (EGC) emergency measures as provided under Proclamation 22-02, finds that the emergency continues to persist, and advises that all emergency measures should be continued. Details of the evaluation will be provided directly to you in Situation Reports (SitReps) reflecting each Incident Command System (ICS) operational period.
Emergency measures summary statement
On January 19, 2022, Washington State Governor Inslee issued Emergency Proclamation 22-02 which ordered the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) “to begin implementation of emergency measures as necessary to effect the eradication of or to prevent the permanent establishment and expansion of European green crab.” This is a statewide proclamation for all marine and estuarine waters of the state that to be effective, will require coordination across state, tribal, and federal jurisdictions. To address this large and complex task, WDFW has implemented an Incident Command System (ICS) structure to facilitate a statewide European green crab (EGC) management strategy. The state Emergency Management Division has assigned this as Mission #22-1085. Since this is a relatively slower-moving emergency (as compared to earthquake or wildfire response), the ICS structure will be used as the overall framework for WDFW communications and coordination.
Background on invasive European green crab
The European green crab is a damaging invasive species that threatens native shellfish, estuary habitats, eelgrass, Washington’s aquaculture industry, and other tribal, cultural, and environmental values.
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.
The most distinctive feature is not its color, which can vary from a dark mottled green to red, brown, or yellow, but the five spines on each side of the shell.
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 at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrab and on WDFW's EGC Data Hub, or through the Washington Invasive Species Council’s WA Invasives mobile app.
Crab identification guides and resources are also available on the WDFW EGC webpage.
WDFW is not asking the public to kill suspected green crabs. This is to protect native crab species, which are often misidentified, particularly helmet, kelp, and hairy shore crabs.
European green crab are classified as a prohibited invasive species in Washington, meaning live crabs may not be possessed, retained, or transported without a permit.
Prohibited invasive species may be killed and returned to the water where they were found, or retained once dead, if the person is certain about species identification and assumes responsibility for correct identification and adherence to state rules and fishing regulations. More detail is available in the crab rules section of the Washington Sport Fishing Rules: eregulations.com/washington/fishing/crab-rules.
For additional information, please see WDFW's European green crab (EGC) invasive species webpage. Reports, updates, and communications are available under the "Conservation" tab. Outreach materials are available under the “Resources” tab.
For more information or for media inquiries, please contact the European Green Crab Public Information Officer at chase.gunnell@dfw.wa.gov or contact ais@dfw.wa.gov.
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