Crabs In Crisis: Pollution's Deadly Toll On Long Island's Crabs

Crabs are dying in large numbers due to pollution in many parts of the world. Crabs thrive in New York's aquatic environments, from the New York Harbour to the shores of Long Island. Crabs from the Hudson River and New York City waters are considered unsafe to eat due to past industrial pollution, although crabs from Long Island Sound are less contaminated. Horseshoe crabs in Long Island Sound are on the decline, driven by a combination of habitat loss, pollution, and commercial fishing. A similar phenomenon is observed on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Henderson Island, where plastic pollution has killed hundreds of thousands of hermit crabs.

Horseshoe crabs face 'ecological extinction' in Long Island Sound

Horseshoe crabs, which have played a role in the environment since before the time of the dinosaurs, are facing "ecological extinction" in Long Island Sound. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission reported in 2019 that stocks of horseshoe crabs in the New York region, including Long Island Sound, were in "poor" condition, with their numbers declining since the late 1990s. This decline is driven by a combination of habitat loss, pollution, and commercial fishing.

Volunteers and researchers have been tagging horseshoe crabs at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut, to monitor their numbers. Joe Schnierlein, a former marine biologist and high school teacher, explained that the full moon and its associated high tide provide good cover for the crabs to lay their eggs high up on the beach. This also attracted about 40 human volunteers who placed tags on the animals as they spawned.

Bridget Cervero, an educator for the Maritime Aquarium, said that public outreach is vital to raising awareness for the species and efforts to monitor and preserve their populations. She added that their program has experienced "massive" interest in 2022 after such outings were limited during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While crabs from the Hudson River and New York City waters are generally safe to eat, it is recommended to follow health advisories. Crabs from Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, and the ocean are less contaminated and are a better choice for everyone. However, it is always a good idea to check the latest health advisories before consuming crabs from any location.

In addition to horseshoe crabs, plastic pollution has also been found to affect other crab species, such as hermit crabs. Studies have shown that plastic pollution on remote islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of hermit crabs, with potential unknown damage to their populations. This is due to the crabs becoming trapped in plastic containers and emitting a chemical signal when they die, attracting more crabs to the trap.

Crabs in Long Island Sound are less contaminated than in other areas

Crabs are a significant part of New York's marine biodiversity, with the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, and Raritan Bay being some of the coastal areas they inhabit. Crabs from the Hudson River and New York City waters are generally considered safe to eat but are advised to be consumed in moderation and as per health advisories. This is because, historically, the Hudson River has been affected by industrial pollution, leading to the accumulation of certain chemicals in the crab population.

However, crabs in Long Island Sound are less contaminated than those in other areas, including the Hudson River and New York City waters. According to sources, it is recommended that men over 15 and women over 50 can safely consume up to six crabs per week from the Hudson River due to their lower vulnerability to the contaminants. On the other hand, crabs from Long Island Sound are considered a better choice for everyone due to the lower contamination levels.

The blue crab, with its distinctive blue claws, is the most common and highly prized crab species in New York. The population of blue crabs in Long Island Sound fluctuates annually due to changes in water temperature. During extremely cold winters, their numbers can decrease significantly, especially in shallow waters. On the other hand, warmer waters due to global warming have contributed to an increase in their population.

While blue crabs are the most prominent, other crab species, like the invasive Chinese mitten crab, can also be found in New York waters. The Chinese mitten crab is easily identified by its hairy claws and can have harmful effects on the local ecosystem. They can migrate upstream, weaken flood protection structures, and compete with native blue claw crabs.

Crabs are found in Long Island's diverse aquatic environments

Crabs are found in New York's diverse aquatic environments, including the waters of Long Island. Crabs are known to thrive in the waters of Long Island Sound, which is a body of water between Long Island and the mainland. Long Island Sound is a diverse coastal habitat that has supported a variety of wildlife, including crabs.

Long Island Sound has a variety of coastal habitats, including tidal marshes, beaches, dunes, cliffs, and bluffs. The area also features submerged aquatic vegetation beds, which are made up of rooted plants like eelgrass and widgeon grass. These plants grow on shallow bay bottoms and provide refuge for juvenile fish and lobsters. They also improve water quality by trapping sediments and using nitrogen from the water column.

However, over the years, the diversity and abundance of coastal habitats in Long Island Sound have been negatively impacted by development activities. For example, tidal marshes have been ditched or filled, and dams have blocked fish migration. Additionally, poor water quality has affected the eelgrass beds, which suffered a significant decline due to an outbreak of mold infection in the 1930s.

Despite these challenges, Long Island Sound remains an important habitat for crabs and other marine life. Crabs found in this area include the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), which is the most common and highly prized species in New York. Male blue crabs are called "Jimmies," while immature females are called "she crabs" or "Sally" crabs, and mature females are known as "sooks."

Other crab species, such as the invasive Chinese mitten crab, can also be found in the waters of Long Island and New York. It is important to note that while crabbing is a popular activity in these areas, consuming crabs from certain locations may pose health risks due to past industrial pollution.

Crabs in the Hudson River are unsafe to eat due to industrial pollution

Crabs are a significant part of New York's aquatic biodiversity, with the Hudson River being one of their many habitats. However, the Hudson River has suffered from extensive chemical contamination due to industrial pollution, making the crabs unsafe for human consumption.

The primary culprit behind the pollution of the Hudson River is the discharge of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by manufacturing plants operated by the General Electric Company (GE). This issue persisted for approximately 30 years, from 1947 to 1977, resulting in dangerously high levels of PCBs in the water. PCBs are harmful chemicals that can have detrimental effects on both wildlife and humans who consume fish from the river. The contamination has also triggered evolutionary changes in certain fish species, such as the Atlantic tomcod, which have developed a weaker binding ability with PCBs.

In addition to PCBs, the Hudson River has been affected by other toxic compounds, including cadmium, mercury, lead chromate, and other industrial waste. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has listed various portions of the Hudson River as having impaired water quality due to these pollutants. The river has also faced problems with accidental sewage discharges, urban runoff, heavy metals, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

The contamination has led to health advisories and restrictions on consuming fish and crabs from the Hudson River. While recent data suggests that the river has attained a general level of safety, it is still recommended that men over 15 and women over 50 limit their consumption to six crabs per week from the Hudson River. Crabs from Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, and the ocean are considered less contaminated and are safer options for everyone.

The good news is that there is ongoing collaborative work to restore the Hudson River. Activists, government officials, and industries are cooperating to help clean up the river system. This includes implementing wastewater discharge permits, reducing wastewater discharges, and removing sediments contaminated with PCBs. These efforts have resulted in a recovery trend for the Hudson River over the preceding few decades.

Blue crabs are the most common and highly prized crab species in New York

Crabs thrive in New York's diverse aquatic environments, from the busy New York Harbour to the tranquil Long Island. While crabbing may be more associated with states like Maryland or Louisiana, New York has a significant crab population, offering both recreational and ecological interest.

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is the most common and highly prized crab species in New York. They are easily identified by their distinctive blue claws and are highly sought after for their delicious meat. Blue crabs are generally safe to eat, but it is important to follow health advisories, especially for crabs from the Hudson River and New York City waters. Crabs from these areas have accumulated certain chemicals due to past industrial pollution. However, recent data suggests a general level of safety, and men over 15 and women over 50 can eat up to six crabs a week from these waters. Crabs from Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, and the ocean are less contaminated and are a better choice for everyone.

Blue crabs are found in various coastal areas of New York, including the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, and Raritan Bay. They are known for their aggressive nature, which makes them exciting to catch. Male blue crabs are called "Jimmies", while immature females are called "she crabs" or "Sally" crabs, and mature females are "sooks". Blue crabs are omnivores, eating mollusks, live or dead fish, and aquatic plants. This makes them relatively easy to catch, and they are a popular food source.

Blue crabs are also of ecological and commercial importance in New York. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is responsible for managing blue crabs throughout the Hudson River and the Marine District of New York. In 2004, the NYSDEC began a tagging study to track the seasonal movements of the blue crab spawning population. Each year, blue crabs are collected, measured, and tagged before being released back into the river. This study provides valuable insights into the behaviour and ecology of blue crabs in New York.

While blue crabs are the most common and sought-after crab species in New York, other species, like the invasive Chinese mitten crab, can also be found in New York waters. The Chinese mitten crab, with its hairy claws, is an unwanted visitor that can harm the local ecosystem. New York's hundreds of miles of shoreline provide abundant crabbing opportunities, making it an inexpensive and enjoyable activity for families.

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