The Common Rock Crab has now become South West Iceland‘s most common crab species, 11 years after its arrival from North American shores. RÚV reports. It was first seen in Hvalfjörður, West Iceland, in the year 2006.
Research into the Common Rock Crab‘s arrival on Icelandic shores will be discussed in a seminar this week, held by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History.
Its spread has been very fast, as it now covers roughly 70% of the coastline from Faxaflói harbour to Eyjafjörður in North Iceland.
The Common Rock Crab is said to be a pest to other species at Iceland‘s ocean floor. Its origins can be traced to the United States’ eastern shore. There it has natural enemies, whereas they are nearly non-existent in Iceland, giving it a chance to thrive so well. It is the American Lobster’s main source of food.
