SEQUIM — A team with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to catch more invasive European green crabs on the Dungeness Spit on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula.
The Peninsula Daily News reports 60 crabs had been caught as of Thursday after more traps were placed.
Crews at the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge first found green crabs April 13, which is the first sighting of the crustacean along that section of the peninsula.
Staff with Washington Sea Grant’s Crab Team say the green crab, which some scientists have called one of the worst invasive species on the planet, is identifiable by five spines on each side of its eyes, and can be green, brown or reddish.
Researchers say the crab often is blamed for damaging shellfish harvests and seagrass beds in the northeastern U.S.
