March 16, 2004

"Stalin's Last Army" Advancing on Europe

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

Scientists hold two Giant Pacific Crabs. Introduced by the Soviets Union in the 1950s, the versatile species has multiplied rapidly, and the growing population is moving south along the Norwegian coast.

The Norwegian government is concerned that a population of giant crabs is moving south from the Arctic, fueled by explosive population growth and a lack of natural predators.

Known as "Giant Pacific Crabs", the species were introduced to the arctic region by the Soviet government in the 1960s. Scientists say the species has a remarkable ability to adapt to new conditions, and could reach as far south as the Mediterranean in the coming decades.

Scientific research has yet to draw solid conclusions on the crab's ecological impact. A debate is raging in the Norwegian media over whether the crabs are a valuable resource or a dangerous pest. Some favour the valuable crab meat, while others draw attention to the possibility that the crabs could compromise the fisheries, as the crabs eat the eggs of many species of fish, and often get tangled in fishers' nets.

» Agence France-Presse: Giant Crabs Invade Norwegian Sea