A particularly aggressive type of crab is invading the Aisne River, especially in the section through which the Serre, in northern France. This is the oxidized river crab, whose presence worries fishermen associations, which foster their consumption.
This species, originally from North America, nicknamed “oxidized” by its red spots, is an invasive species in lakes and streams. His presence in the French rivers has proliferated in the last three years, as published by the mediawhich has pointed out that it has ended up expelling the crabs of Rio de Pícesa Local, much less aggressive.
The director of the Fishing and Protection of Aquatic Media of Aisne, Martin Duntze, explained to the French environment that this crab “is a risk to biodiversity because it has relatively few predators, apart from the Mapaches, some species of fish and birds.”
“They are very aggressive and have a much more efficient reproductive strategy than native species, so they compete for food and habitat, and even pretend certain species of small fish,” he added.
As a consequence of this, the fishermen met the waters of the Serre River practically empty, when it was previously full of fish. “It is annoying because if trout fishing, the lures come and take away. If fishing with fish or worms, they come and attack them. Our goal is to fish trout,” said a member of the Rozoy-Sur-Serre fishing club.
Combating this crab is very complicated, according to Duntze, who pointed to a single solution: capture. In addition, he added that “it is very tasty.”
