invasive species

A quagga mussel found on a boat that was about to enter Yellowstone National Park's Yellowstone Lake is seen Thursday, June 17, 2021, in the park. Quagga mussels are nonnative to the U.S. and can devastate ecosystems by overpopulating lakes and streams. So far, they aren't established in Wyoming waters.

Invasive quagga mussel larvae detected for first time in Idaho waterway

Rachel Cohen

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced Monday it had detected invasive quagga mussel larvae in the Snake River in Twin Falls. Centennial Waterfront Park in Twin Falls is closed.

Fisherman Djomar Hora examines a trap used to capture invasive European green crabs just outside the Port of Peninsula harbor in Nahcotta, Washington.

Environment

Northwest shellfish growers want 'blitz' against invasive green crabs

Tom Banse

Shellfish growers in Willapa Bay in southwest Washington, the self-styled "Oyster Capital of the World," are alarmed by an invasion of potentially destructive non-native European green crabs.

European green crab captured at Westcott Bay (San Juan Island), Washington, in 2018.

Environment

Washington researchers identify new tool in fight to contain invasive green crabs: eDNA

Bellamy Pailthorp

State wildlife officials are requesting more than $8.5 million in emergency funding from the Legislature to boost the fight against invasive European green crabs. A new tool might make that more effective: environmental DNA.

A live green crab, captured Thursday, May 13, on top of several mesh bags of frozen green crabs that were caught over the past few months in Grays Harbor on the Washington coast.

Environment

Inslee issues emergency order over green crab infestation

The Associated Press

Gov. Jay Inslee has issued an emergency order to address the exponential population growth of the invasive European green crab within the Lummi Nation’s Sea Pond, Makah Bay, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay.

Environment

Invasive green crabs continue to spread in Washington, especially in coastal estuaries

Bellamy Pailthorp

European green crabs were found in Washington’s inland waters in 2016, prompting extensive monitoring. Now state officials say this destructive invasive…

Puddles, a dog used by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to sniff out invasive quagga and zebra mussels during boat inspections, waits for instructions during a demonstration of her skills for reporters.

Environment

Puddles the mussel-sniffing dog helps raise awareness about risks of invasive species

Bellamy Pailthorp

At a public boat launch on Black Lake, south of Olympia, Sgt. Pam Taylor holds dozens of small, dark black shells in the palm of her hand. At her side is…

European Green Crab found at Dungeness Spit, Sequim, April 2017.

Environment

20 Invasive Green Crabs Discovered At Dungeness Spit

Bellamy Pailthorp

Invasive green crabs are prolific all over the world. Officially called European green crabs, they are known for outcompeting native shellfish. On the…

News

Feral Pigs Are On The Rise In Washington State

Emily Schwing

Feral pigs are a problem in 39 U.S. states and the Northwest is not immune. That’s why officials from four Washington agencies issued a reminder to...

Environment

Second Invasive Green Crab Found In Washington’s Inland Waters

Bellamy Pailthorp

Researchers from the Washington Sea Grant confirm that a crab found by staff of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is in fact one of the…

Environment

Sea Grant Monitors In High Gear After Invasive Green Crab Found On San Juan Island

Bellamy Pailthorp

This week, scientists are scouring shoreline habitat near Westcott Bay on San Juan Island, hunting for green crabs. The Washington Sea Grant Crab Team,…