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NewsWPLG Local 10 – EspañolAugust 26, 2026Miami-Dade

Maine entrepreneurs harvest invasive green crabs for commercial food market

Mike Masi and his team in York, Maine, are harvesting and sorting invasive green crabs to sell as a food product in New England. This initiative aims to repurpose a species traditionally considered a regional pest into a commercial seafood commodity.

invasive speciesfisherieseconomic developmentenvironment
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Español

Why It Matters

The project attempts to address the ecological impact of the invasive green crab population by creating a commercial market for the species as a food source.

Key Facts

  • Mike Masi is leading an effort in York, Maine, to harvest invasive green crabs.
  • The project involves sorting the crabs to identify those suitable for human consumption.
  • The goal is to market the green crab as a premium seafood product in New England.
  • Green crabs are currently classified as an invasive species and a regional pest in the area.

Who's Mentioned

personMarissa McMahan“Vice president of fisheries at Manomet Conservation Sciences.”locationNew England“Target market region for the crab products.”organizationPAGU“A restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serving green crab dishes.”personChad Coffin“A Maine clam fisherman reporting declining catches.”personMike Masi“Founder of shell+claw, a company commercially harvesting green crabs.”locationWashington State“State that declared a green crab emergency in 2022.”locationYork, Maine“Location of the harvesting operations.”organizationshell+claw“The only company currently commercially farming green crabs.”personCarolyn Tepolt“Evolutionary biologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.”