You may notice the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and local volunteers working to remove invasive European Green Crabs near the Lagoon Bridge at Esquimalt Lagoon National Migratory Bird Sanctuary this weekend.
According to the DFO, the European Green Crab is highly resilient and can upset the balance of estuarine and marine ecosystems, impacting biodiversity by:
- destroying beds of shellfish;
- feeding on native animals like clams, oysters, mussels, small fish, and juvenile crabs;
- out-competing native crab species for food; and
- disrupting eelgrass beds, which are habitats for many juvenile fish species.
DFO is expected to be setting traps on Thursday, July 9 with on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, 2026.
What to do if you see a European Green Crab
First of all, it's not always green! Its main distinguishing feature are five spines beside each eye. Please confirm, that you are not viewing one of BC's native crabs that appear green in colour. Check the crab photo gallery on the DFO website.
If a European green crab is found, please capture a clear photo and precise GPS coordinates if possible and call 1-888-356-7525 OR email: DFO.AISPacific-EAEPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Interested in volunteering?
In partnership with the DFO, volunteers monitor the lagoon for the highly invasive European Green Crab. This work involves monthly crab trapping and identification, between April and September each year. For more information about volunteering contact the ELSI coordinator via email at info@elsi.ca.