THE public has been urged to be on the alert for unusual sea creatures on our shores, after the first sighting of an invasive blue crab which could threaten native species. The blue crab is considered an invasive species in Europe and is native to the Atlantic coast of America. But a member of the public spotted one of the creatures on Dublin’s Dollymount Strand and reported it to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. There have been a few sightings of the blue crab in other European countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Norway, but none before this in Ireland or the UK. It is unknown how the blue crab came to Irish shores but investigations by experts from bodies including the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority are currently ongoing.

Source: Irish Independent March 11, 2021 21:43 UTC