Please Report Invasive Mitten Crabs

[Larry]

>
> The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife would like recreational crabbers
to be aware that Chinese mitten crabs have been caught in New Jersey
waters, the most recent being those captured by both commercial and
recreational fishermen in Raritan, Barnegat and Delaware Bays. Mitten
crabs
are native to Asia but have invaded portions of northern Europe and
California.
>
> Biologists would like to gather as much information as possible on any
mitten crabs that have been caught this year or in recent years to
help
determine their current distribution. The public can help by
providing
information on any mitten crabs that are encountered.
>
> The crabs are easy to identify and the online mitten crab poster lists
identification characteristics as well as some general information on
the
species. If a mitten crab happens to be caught, it is important to
document as much information as possible and take a picture of the
crab for
identification and proof of capture.
>
> For more information on the crabs, how to identify them the online poster
and how to report them, please visit
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/mittencrab09.htm on the
division's website.