PORTLAND, Maine — Maine wants to know what its fishermen and aquaculture workers think of invasive green crabs.
The state's Department of Marine Resources says in a statement that it will ask the professionals about the "growing threat of invasive European green crabs to Maine fisheries and aquaculture." The department is sending targeted mails surveys to harvesters and growers throughout coastal Maine. The department says Lobster Zone Councils, Maine Aquaculture Association, Municipal Shellfish Committees and the department's advisory councils will administer the survey.
Questions will ask professionals if they encounter green crabs, whether they have observed changes in crab population recently, and whether the species is impacting marine resources. A taskforce will use the information to make recommendations to Gov. Paul LePage.