Dangerous blue crab found in Los Molinos

It is an invasive species from America that poses a serious threat to native wildlife

A blue crab, an invasive species originating from the Americas, has been located in Los Molinos on the island of Fuerteventura. Although the species has been sighted in the Canary Islands before, such occurrences are rare.

The discovery was made by a resident of Puerto del Rosario in the Los Molinos area, Alejandro Cabrera, a senior technician in aquaculture.

The crustacean is now under the supervision of the Early Detection Network for Exotic Species, the body responsible for locating, identifying, analyzing, controlling, or eradicating new foci or populations of invasive exotic species in the Canary Islands.

The blue crab is highly dangerous to native marine fauna because adult individuals feed on:

• Fish
• Mollusks
• Crabs
• Shrimp
• Cephalopods
• Aquatic vegetation

It is a resilient survivor that adapts easily to a variety of environments.