Posted on 02/08/2006 8:02:32 AM PST by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
THEY are the known as the terminators of the world's waterways,which can devastate entire species of fish and shellfish in a few short months.
Now an exotic Chinese crab which preys on British native species is on the verge of taking over the country's major waterways, environmental experts have warned.
A study showed invading mitten crabs, which can grow to the size of a dinner plate, could threaten other marine life.
Newcastle University researchers have warned there could be a population explosion of the creatures.
The study authors predict the mitten crab – so called because its claws are coated with small clumps of dark brown fur, or mittens – has the potential to establish itself in all major estuaries in several years time.
Mitten crabs are already present in some British waterways, including the Thames, Humber and Tyne rivers and parts of the North Sea and Channel coasts.
A member of the research team, Dr Matt Bentley, said: "The pattern of the spread in the UK since the 1970s mirrors the spread in mainland Europe and in the Baltic region which experienced a major outbreak.
"This is a fairly good indication that the UK is set for a similar situation."
The study, published in the academic journal Biological Invasions, says a nationwide monitoring and trapping system for the crab should be introduced.
Are they good to eat?
Do they taste good?
Publish recipes. Fish. Set traps.
There's an easy market solution here.
I'm quite sure they taste like crabs.
Anybody want good recipes for crab cakes or crab soup?
Oh this is going to get ugly.
I always wondered if the Chinese had crabs.
wondering the samething, any have some melted butter.
The Brits will boil ANYTHING. Problem solved.
China gave Britian crabs? How embarrassing!
They're a delicacy in China. Time to open a Crab 'n' Chips shop, it sounds like to me.
Do you think penecillin will get rid of them?
I'm guessing that because it is a pest, it tastes bad. That's just how it works. Except for deer. Deer are pests and they taste good.
And cows. I hate the way they crawl around inside the walls and chew on the insulation, but they taste good too.
My thoughts exactly. But, their green look makes me ask is the water clean before we bite.
They're doing the jobs that British crabs won't do.
Yeah, but even though the crabs are the size of a dinner plate, you are hungry again 2 hours later. Maybe that's why the crabs left China's waterways, the wildlife experience the same thing...who knew!
Find a way to turn them into fuel. They'll be delcared an endangered species in no time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.