Marine pest or native look alike?
Know the difference and help protect our best boating spots!
This week we take a close look at a feisty crab that’s got some skills – but isn’t good news for our native species.
If you see an Asian paddle crab on your travels, you are unlikely to see many other species close by. It is aggressive and quickly out competes our native paddle crabs for space and food. With a vicious bite when disturbed, the adults are strong swimmers and can spread attached to fouling on a boats hull, or as larvae in sea chests or ballast water where they can live for up to a month.
It’s a large swimming crab that can grow to a size of 12cm across its shell.
We know the Asian Paddle Crab is in parts of New Zealand but we don’t want it to spread further. So if you see it outside a known area, please take a photo, record the location and report it to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
This species is known to be in the following locations in Northland, Auckland and Bay of Plenty:
Hokianga Harbour, Houhora Harbour, Waikare Inlet, Ngunguru, Tutukaka, Whangārei Harbour, Hauraki Gulf; Waitematā Harbour, Tamaki Estuary; Aotea – Great Barrier Island, Kaipara Harbour; Manukau Harbour; Tauranga Harbour, Ohiwa Harbour, Raglan Harbour
From the team at Clean Below? Good to Go – visit marinepests.nz to get everything you need to know about marine pests ID, boats, rules and more.
I think it would be a good idea to also include a pic of the native paddle crab so we can understand the differences. Thanks.
Hi Mark
We have had a chat about your comment in the office – and we agree! We have highlighted the invader but not our local crab which we should take good care of!
The article, written by Zoe, will get an update soon with locals to look after.
Best regards
Chris
Web Editor, Boating NZ