Fisheries Western Australia is urging crabbers to be wary of the Asian paddle crab, a non-native pest species, when trawling the waters this summer.
The pests are aggressive and known to out-compete native species’ like WA’s beloved blue swimmer crabs in search of food, and have the potential to spread devastating disease to other shellfish including prawns and lobsters.
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It can also carry diseases that are poisonous to humans.
The Asian paddle crab can be noticed by its pale to olive green colour, and are likely to be found in estuaries and lower reaches of rivers.
While only five have been sighted in WA waters since 2010 – one in Mandurah and four in the Swan River – Fisheries urges crabbers to remain vigilant.
Anyone who comes across one of these crabs is urged to retain the animal, record the location (including GPS readings if possible) and call FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
Visit fish.wa.gov.au for more information.
