Overview
If this predator invades New Zealand it could reduce the number of different organisms we see in our marine environment and have a serious impact on our scallop and mussel industries. The European shore crab is found extensively outside its native range and adapts very well to new places. It is found in sheltered rocky shores mainly under large boulders between the high and low tide marks or buried in the sand on sheltered rocky foreshores. It eats other crabs, clams, limpets, barnacles, mussels and even young scallops.

Mode of distribution
The European shore crab could travel to New Zealand in a ship's seachests, ballast water or on fishing equipment.

Description
Size: Up to 8 cm across the body though more commonly 5-6 cm.
Shape: The body is broad at the front with a narrower but blunt rear forming a triangular shape.
Colour: The young crabs vary in colour but are usually olive green, while the upper surface of the adult crabs is distinctly dark green. The adults also often have yellow/ orange patches.

Key features
The shore crabs have 10 well-developed spines on the front edge of the body, five on either side of the rostrum. The broad triangular body shape and the absence of swimming paddles on the last pair of legs are also notable features of this crab. Finally, it will generally show no aggression when handled.

Action plan
European shore crab action plan September 2001 (PDF 341KB).

(You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read the PDF files; it's available to download for free. It may take a while to download.)