Louisiana Alert: Invasive Species of Crab Spotted in State

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries says an invasive crab species is on the move and has been spotted in Louisiana.

The agency says that the Chinese Mitten Crab is here, and it is easy to identify by its fuzzy “mittens” on its claws and the lack of paddles on its rear legs.

These crabs are often found in freshwater but are known to retreat to the marine water to spawn, and they have been known to travel hundreds of miles upstream in some regions of the country.

In January two of the Chinese Mitten Crabs were spotted in Louisiana at the mouth of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, which is extremely rare.

It is believed that the species arrived in the United States by boat or through ballast water.

If you catch one of these crabs, the LDWF asks that you report your catch by calling the Aquatic Invasive Species Hotline at (225) 765-3977.

You are also asked to snap a photo of the crab, if you can, and to submit photos to the following address: aquaticinvasives@wllf.la.gov