Connecticut law fights to control invasive green crabs in Long Island Sound
The green grab is one of the world's most invasive species. There are thousands in Long Island Sound, and they don't have many predators.
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A new state law is attempting to control the spread of an invasive species by putting it on your plate.
The green grab is one of the world's most invasive species. There are thousands in Long Island Sound, and they don't have many predators.
Green crabs have been in the United States for over 200 years and with warmer winters and climate change there are more of them.
They feed on oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops, and are slicing and uprooting native eel grass.
In 2020 Mary Parks started the website greencrab.org
The non-profit is raising awareness about these destructive critters and is also connecting restaurants and harvesters with resources and recipes.
In Connecticut a new law that went into effect this month allows green crabs to be sold to restaurants with little permitting.
"There's been a great response, especially from a lot of chefs in Connecticut who have been eager to get their hands on green crabs. They are actually harvested in Connecticut waters . Up until recently, most chefs were working with green crabs in Connecticut. We're sourcing them from other states like Rhode Island or Massachusetts," said Parks.
Restaurants in Mystic, New Haven, Oakville and Kent are serving up these crabs.
For more information: click here,
