Red alarm level: wool hand crabs in the Elbe very threatened!

Red alarm level: wool hand crabs in the Elbe very threatened!

The wool hand crab, which was introduced to European waters about 100 years ago, is currently causing concern among the Eleglers. Elefischer Eckhard Panz reports a dramatic decline in the crab population in the Elbe, since the fishing quantities fell to just three to four kilograms a week this year. Compared to the previous year, this is a decline of around 90 percent. While mass hikes were still observed last year, only individual animals can be seen this year, which are also weakened and have semi -strength tanks. The wool hand crabs can hardly be found on the fish staircase in Geesthacht, who helps fishing, which helps fishing, which help fishing.

research and control

On the scientific side, the problem of the invasive wool hand crab is taken seriously. Researcher Sengdavanh Thepphaachanh from the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) emphasizes that the high population density of the crabs is a serious threat to the waters. It is associated with the decline of soil creatures and aquatic plants. Wool hand crabs also cause damage to the bank structures and clogen water withdrawal points, which is particularly problematic for power plants. In order to address these challenges, an international research project was launched, which reduces the stocks of the wool hand crabs and should put the rivers in a better ecological state.

The project "Clancy", which is carried out by eight institutions from Belgium, France, Sweden and Germany, examines, among other things, the rheotactic behavior of the crabs in order to identify optimal locations for crab traps. Test locations in the Elbe near Dresden and in the Weser catchment area contribute to data collection and help to observe the migration of the crabs. A construct has already been tested in Belgium that has caught around 2.5 million crabs within four years. The aim is to reduce the invasive kind of inventory and to meet the goals of the European Water Framework Directive.

sustainability and cooperation

In addition, sensible usage concepts for the captured crabs are developed. One possibility could be the use as a feed in aquaculture or the extraction of chitin for the pharmaceutical industry. The project is funded by the European Union as part of the Interreg North Sea program. The Elbe and other rivers affected by the invasion of the wool hand crabs urgently need effective measures to protect domestic ecosystems. Scientists and environmentalists rely on international cooperation to counter this challenge and to support the biological diversity in the waters.

The current situation of the wool hand crabs could be a turn if the measures taken are successful and bring both ecological and economic advantages for the region. The combination of research, fighting and sustainable use could help optimize the natural situation in the Elbe and other Central European rivers.

These alarming developments and measures document mopo.de href = "https://www.awi.de/ueber-uns/presse/presse-detailansicht/invasive-wollhandkrabben-neues-projekt-der-heimische-oekosysteme-beht-start.html"> alfred-wegener-institut and fischundfang.de shed light on the scientific and environmental aspects.