Keep watch for aquatic pests while crabbing

If you are crabbing over summer, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is calling on you to report any unusual crabs you find, particularly Asian paddle crabs. By reporting suspected aquatic pests could help eradicate them before they take hold.

An invasion of this pest crab species has already occurred in New Zealand and, given the previous reports here in WA, we need to take extra care to avoid a similar impact as they spread quickly.

The Asian Paddle Crab Marine Pest Alert brochure will help crabbers be aware of its distinguishing features, especially the sharp spines on the front of the shell between the eyes. In contrast, the small brown native four-lobed swimming crab, which has often been mistaken for the pest, has no spines between the eyes.

If you think you have found an Asian paddle crab, please examine it closely (if possible comparing it against the pest alert, which is available online at www.fish.wa.gov.au and make a note of where you saw or caught it.

Fishers are also urged to take photos of the suspect crab, especially from above, keep the

specimen and phone the FishWatch 24 hour hotline on 1800 815 507 as soon as possible.