Pest Inquiry (Asian Paddle Crabs)

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Introduction

An Asian paddle crab is typically found around the coasts of Japan, Korea, and Asia. Strangely enough, an Asian Paddle Crab was discovered in the Bay of Plenty in 2000. New Zealand is losing it’s biodiversity. It started to aggressively dominate all the marine life there right away. That is why you should ask yourself what should we be doing to mitigate the deleterious effect of Asian Paddle Crabs in the Bay of Plenty. In this presentation, we will go into great detail about how to get rid of these cunning parasites!

What impacts does the Asian paddle crab species have on food for native marine creatures?

When it comes to eating, Asian paddle crabs have no remorse. As they devour  a fish’s entire family before moving on to them, they won't feel any pity for the animals. The local marine life was amazing, swimming about every day before the Asian paddle crab arrived... AND THEN THEY ATE ALL OF THEM! These poor creatures :(

Where did the Asian paddle crab come from?

The Asian Paddle Crab arrived in New Zealand in the early 2000s on boats from south-east Asia, where they had been hiding. It took some time before they were discovered. Researchers were attempting to determine why fish and coral reef populations had declined in New Zealand. The Asian Paddle Crab, which was once common throughout New Zealand, is now primarily found in Tauranga.

What are we doing to stop the spread of Asian paddle crabs?

There are currently some rather effective measures in place to completely eliminate these crabs from our coastlines. If you discover one, you can even call 0800 786 773. Ring pots seem to appear to be the best trap to utilise after we ran a PMI analysis to determine what it is.

What are the Asian Paddle Crab’s diet and other life essentials?

Asian Paddle Crabs eat shellfish, fish, other crustaceans, and polychaetes; this is their diet because they live near and in coral and like to be very sneaky to kill the coral. They pinch at the coral and they kill the marine life in the coral so the coral is no longer in a good state to provide for the fish and other marine animals they like to feast on. They are also aggressive to other marine life that passes them but they usually just fight and don't kill each other.

What do other countries do to get rid of the Asian paddle crab?

Well, the thing is not many countries have Asian Paddle Crabs but the country that do one gas got rid of them by referencing PMI table ringed pots and other things like dipped nets but some of these options can catch and get rid of other species and catch other species you do not want it to and that is a problem so we take note in what other countries do to get rid of the Asian Paddle crab and learn from their mistakes. 

Where does the Asian paddle crab spend most of its time in the ocean? 

The Asian Paddle Crab normally spends its time hanging around harbors or in subtidal areas with about 15 cm of water. Which is where their prey lurk. If a human comes near it when it is hanging out in its area, it will nip the human extremely hard and give them a bruise. They have very good grips which means they can grip onto the wood on the harbor.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Asian Paddle Crabs came to New Zealand by mistake and can be eradicated with the right materials and funding if the population was only reduced to countries that want and need the Paddle crabs then marine life and coral will come back and we can save many native species that have been lost due to Asian Paddle Crabs. 

What should be done to mitigate the deleterious effect of Asian paddle crabs in the Bay of Plenty?

Bibliography

Works Cited

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“PADDLE CRABS (PAD) (Ovalipes catharus) 1. FISHERY SUMMARY (a) Commercial fisheries Commercial interest in paddle crabs was fir.” Fisheries New Zealand, https://fs.fish.govt.nz/Doc/5544/PAD_07.pdf.ashx. Accessed 24 March 2023.

“Pest control hub.” Northland Regional Council, https://www.nrc.govt.nz/environment/weed-and-pest-control/pest-control-hub/?pwsystem=true. Accessed 24 March 2023.

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