Composition and distribution of the European green crab in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Mary A. McNive, Pedro A. Quijon, Alfred W. Mitchell, Aaron Ramsey, Sophie St-Hilaire

Atlantic Veterinary College, University of PEI, Charlottetown, Canada.
Atlantic Veterinary College, University of PEI, Charlottetown, Canada;.
Deptartment of Biology, University of PEI, Charlottetown, Canada.
PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Rural Development, Montague, Canada.

DOI: 10.4236/ojas.2013.34043                

Abstract

The European green crab (Carcinusmaenas) is a non-native invasive species to North America which has been found in the north-western Atlantic Ocean since the nineteenth century. In Prince Edward Island Canada, this species has been steadily increasing over the last 10 years, especially in estuaries found on the eastern and southern coasts. Our chemical analysis of the whole green crab determined that it was high in protein and ash, and low in lipid content. We also found the chemical composition varied only slightly for different sized crabs (40 to 70 mm) over the six-month sampling period, suggesting this species could be harvested any time between May and October.

Keywords

European Green Crab; Catch Per Day; Chemical Analysis; Invasive Species

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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