Washington Captured 2 Million Invasive Green Crabs

State and federal agencies spent $8 million to manage an expanding population that threatens native species.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Environmental

Submerged wire mesh crab trap on a sandy seabed covered with kelp, with a European green crab crawling nearby in shallow coastal waters. — State and federal agencies in Washington removed 2 million invasive European green crabs between 2025 and 2026 to protect native salmon and shellfish. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Between July 2025 and June 2026, officials in Washington removed over 2 million invasive European green crabs from state waters. This total reflects more than all previous years combined since the species was first documented in 1998.

Why it matters

The rapid expansion of this invasive predator threatens local populations of juvenile salmon, clams, oysters, and mussels. Experts note that changing climate conditions, including El Niño patterns, are currently accelerating the growth of these populations.

The capture haul more than doubled from the prior fiscal year, with 1.9 million crabs removed from Willapa Bay alone. An additional 192,000 were trapped in Grays Harbor and 18,000 in North Puget Sound.

The players

Jay Inslee

The Governor of Washington who declared an emergency in 2022 to combat the invasive crab population.

The details

Roughly 500 professionals and volunteers use systematic trapping to monitor and remove the invasive species. This effort is necessary because European green crabs — a hardy, opportunistic predator — aggressively outcompete and prey on native juveniles. Warmer surface waters in the Pacific and Willapa Bay provide a favorable environment that has significantly increased survival rates for the population.

1998: European green crabs were first documented in Washington state.
2022: Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency over the crab invasion.
July 2025 to June 2026: More than 2 million green crabs were captured.
May 2026: The first green crab was discovered on Orcas Island.
Upcoming winter: Researchers expect peak El Niño-driven crab population growth.

The Tech Race

The response follows the mandate established by the 2022 Washington state emergency declaration. Efforts remain focused on containment as scientists confirm that total eradication of the invasive population is not feasible in the near future.

The invasive crab population threatens the survival of commercially and recreationally significant species like Dungeness crab, salmon, and shellfish. Residents and visitors should report potential sightings of green crabs to local authorities to assist in tracking the invasion's range.

The takeaway

The surge in captures demonstrates that warming waters are shifting the regional ecosystem dynamics. Readers should monitor upcoming state-level reports on population density following the expected winter El Niño impacts.