AG’s office and WA Department of Fish and Wildlife Police raise awareness of invasive mitten crabs and secure guilty plea related to illegal sale
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police continued their efforts to protect Washington’s waters and native species from invasive mitten crabs as they secured a guilty plea Thursday from a Washington individual who attempted to distribute mitten crabs in violation of state law.
WDFW Police led the investigation and the Attorney General’s office prosecuted the case.
“Mitten crabs pose a danger to Washington’s economy and ecosystem, particularly our salmon populations. Trafficking in these invasive species is harmful and illegal,” said Attorney General Nick Brown. “We will continue to work closely with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect our ecosystems and enforce the law.”
It is illegal to possess, buy, sell, or distribute mitten crabs in Washington. Mitten crabs can reproduce in large numbers. Females can produce hundreds of thousands of eggs, with some capable of producing more than one million. The crabs can move between freshwater and saltwater environments, including overland, making them difficult to contain once established. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as one of the worst 100 invasive species worldwide.
Mitten crabs can prey on native clams, mussels, and fish eggs, and compete with native species for food and habitat. Their burrowing can contribute to erosion of stream banks, levees, and other structures, while their presence in large numbers can interfere with fishing gear, water infrastructure, fish screens, and other facilities. While not currently known to be established in Washington waters, some species were detected in the Lower Columbia River, in April 2025 and in the Willamette River in November 2025. WDFW continues to monitor for mitten crabs in Washington waters.
Between 2023 and 2024, Fish and Wildlife officers investigated an individual who sold them a dozen live mitten crabs. The Attorney General’s office secured a guilty plea from the individual, who will complete community service, pay restitution, and be placed on probation. WDFW asks members of the public not to purchase, possess, transport, or release live mitten crabs in Washington.
“Preventing the introduction of invasive species requires more than identifying them after they become established; it requires stopping illegal pathways before they can lead to an introduction,” said Brad Rhoden, WDFW Police Captain. “Through this investigation, our officers were able to identify and disrupt the illegal sale of mitten crabs, preventing a potential pathway to release and establishment in Washington. Enforcement of the state’s invasive species laws is an important part of protecting our natural resources, with the ever-present online opportunity to traffic plants or animals, our officers remain committed to working with our partners to stop the illegal movement of invasive species.”
If you suspect you have found a mitten crab in the field, please take a photo and report it by calling 1-888-WDFW-AIS, emailing at ais@dfw.wa.gov, or using the Washington Invasive Species Council reporting form or mobile app at invasivespecies.wa.gov/report-a-sighting. The Department encourages anyone who might have relevant information specific to illegal trafficking of plant or animal species to report it confidentially by calling WDFW's poaching hotline, 877-933-9847, or by texting a tip to 847411.
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