New Englanders target invasive green crabs for commercial seafood markets

Invasive European green crabs (Carcinus maenas) are causing significant ecological and economic damage across New England. These crabs, which arrived via ship ballast waters, outcompete Atlantic rock crabs and juvenile lobsters, destroy eelgrass beds, and undermine salt marsh banks. They also pose a major threat to the shellfish industry by consuming mussels, oysters, and soft-shell clams.

In Maine, soft-shell clam landings have dropped from 7.8 million pounds in 1978 to an estimated 1.3 million pounds in 2025. To combat this, a movement is growing to turn the invasive species into a commercial product. Mike Masi, through his company shell+claw, is commercially cultivating the crabs, specifically targeting those that have recently molted for use in high-end restaurants. Other regional efforts include using the crabs for pet treats, fish sauce, and even whiskey.