A dangerous crab on the beaches of a famous island. Concerns have been raised
Although it comes from America, it has been spotted on the Spanish islands. The blue crab raises concerns and may scare tourists. They often relax on the beaches here.
Disturbing news comes from Fuerteventura, one of the most popular of the Canary Islands. This is where the blue crab (callinectes sapidus), often considered invasive, appeared. Interestingly, this is not the first time scientists have noticed it in Europe. According to expert reports, it has even been seen in Poland.
Invasive crab in Fuerteventura
The blue crab comes from the coasts of North and South America. Now it has been discovered by island resident Alejandro Cabrera in Los Molinos, Fuerteventura. We are talking about a charming village located on the very shore of the ocean on the western side of the island near Tefia. Both locals and tourists relax there, and currently they can count on even 25 degrees Celsius.
Environmental protection experts are concerned about the sight of a dangerous species on beaches. It is still considered rare and dangerous to humans. All because of, among others, sharp, strong pincers and aggressive nature. Some individuals may even carry dangerous parasites. Moreover, the crab can also be dangerous to native marine life.
The blue crab can be identified by its bright blue claws with red tips (in females) and olive green or blue-green carapace. Its last pair of legs are flattened into the shape of oars. It is also known that males have a long and slender abdomen, while in females it is wide and rounded.
The issue is being investigated
The appearance of an aggressive crab on an island popular with tourists causes fear. The case is being investigated by the Red de Detección Temprana de Especies Exóticas (Network for the Early Detection of Exotic Species), the body responsible for locating, identifying, analyzing, controlling and even eliminating invasive species in the Canary Islands.
This is not the only research on dangerous species. Recently, local authorities have also initiated active measures to detect and control invasive reptiles and insects. Some of these species may disrupt local biodiversity and threaten the delicate ecological balance of the islands.
