Governor LePage Signs Executive Order Convening Invasive Green Crab Task Force

Task force to review and consider the impacts of European green crabs on bivalve shellfish industry

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage signed an executive order establishing a task force to review and consider the impacts of the invasive European green crab. The Governor made the announcement this morning at the 39^th Annual Maine Fishermen’s Forum in Rockport.

In recent years, the European green crab population has rapidly expanded in Maine’s coastal waters, threatening the depletion of shellfish species such as the blue mussel and soft-shelled clam. The European green crab has already destroyed eelgrass and fringe marsh habitat throughout the coast.

“Green crabs are threatening our state’s $25 million bivalve shellfish industry, which is Maine’s third most lucrative fishery. It’s critical that we protect the fishery and the good jobs the industry supports,” said Governor LePage. “Green crabs not only endanger a vital segment of Maine’s fishing economy, but this invasive species could destroy some of Maine’s most famous dishes, including steamed clams and the fried clam dinner.”

The proclamation language is as follows:

AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR’S TASK FORCE ON THE INVASIVE EUROPEAN GREEN CRAB

WHEREAS, the European green crab population has rapidly expanded in Maine’s coastal waters in recent years; and

WHEREAS, the European green crab is a voracious predator known to be causing resource depletion of bivalve shellfish species such as the blue mussel and soft-shelled clam; and

WHEREAS, the European green crab has destroyed eelgrass and fringe marsh habitat throughout the coast; and

WHEREAS, the bivalve shellfish fishery is worth approximately $25 million to the state economy; and

WHEREAS, the eelgrass and fringe marsh habitats are critically important to the health and productivity of Maine’s marine resources; and

WHEREAS, the impacts of European green crab predation are unknown with regard to other commercially important marine species; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Paul R. LePage, Governor of the State of Maine, hereby order as follows:

 

1. The Governor’s Task Force on the invasive European green crab is hereby established.

 

1. The membership of the task force shall consist of (12) twelve people, appointed by the Governor, including representatives of the following groups:

1. Department of Marine Resources (1);
2. Department of Environmental Protection (1);
3. Department of Economic and Community Development (1);
4. Towns with municipal shellfish ordinances (2);
5. Bivalve shellfish industry (2);
6. Other marine resource industry (2);
7. Researchers from disciplines such as ecology, marine biology or shellfish biology (2);
8. Researchers from disciplines such as economic or market development (1).

The Task Force shall:

a. Review and consider the impacts of European green crabs on the commercial bivalve fisheries, shellfish aquaculture; intertidal and subtidal habitat, and other marine resources;

b. Develop recommendations for short-term and long-term solutions in addressing the European green crab population explosion in coastal Maine waters including, but not limited to targeted depletion and directed fishery development;

c. Determine the direct economic impacts of European green crab predation on the bivalve shellfish resources of Maine.

d. Review and consider costs associated with proposed control strategies;

e. Consider anything else necessary to successfully address the European green crab crisis in Maine waters.

1. The Task Force Chair shall:

a. Identify the process, schedule and information to carry-out the Executive Order.

1. The Task Force shall submit a written report with recommendations to the Governor no later than September 30, 2014, after which the Task Force shall dissolve.

The effective date of the Executive order is February 28, 2014.