Could Maryland be on the brink of yet another species invasion? WJZ.com is reporting that a Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) was found this week in the Chesapeake Bay. This is at least the second mitten crab found in the area - the first was discovered in August 2006, and as a commenter notes in this older ISW post, someone in the area also had one in their freezer.
This is yet another example of the value of public outreach in managing invasive species issues. Maryland has taken advantage of an easily recognizable identification character, those distinctly furry claws, to put out the word and get everyone to be on the lookout for the Chinese mitten crab. Bonus points to the crabber who noticed the odd crab in his pot - the first sighting of this species was also made by a crabber.
For more about this story, be sure to check out the video at WJZ.com, and this story from the Baltimore Sun.
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