Researchers found the first evidence of European green crabs in the northern Whidbey Basin, a sign that one of the world’s most harmful marine species has made inroads in the Salish Sea, the Washington Sea Grant Crab Team announced Tuesday.

European green crabs are small, invasive shore crabs that damage bed sediments, leading to the loss of eelgrass, an essential habitat for Dungeness crab and Pacific salmon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Community member Shirley Hoh found a green crab molt in late September while participating in Molt Search, a volunteer early-detection program run by the Sea Grant Crab Team. The molt was discovered at Similk Beach, on the northern end of the Swinomish Reservation, according to a news release.

Crab molting occurs when a crab sheds its shell

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