Red King Crabs Invade Norway
Barents Sea

The prized red king crab is overfished near Alaska, but in Norwegian waters it is flourishing as an invader.

Russian scientists introduced the giant crustacean to the Barents Sea off northern Russia in the 1960’s. Since then, the omnivore has been eating its way west into Norway. It devours a wide range of seafloor life: worms, mollusks, sea urchins, and more.

The ecological toll of the estimated 12 million red king crabs now crawling in the Barents Sea is still under research. However, since harvesting the edible crab is a lucrative enterprise, Norway and Russia are not limiting the spread of this invasive species at the moment.

Image Credits 
Barents Sea, September 2004 (Blue Marble Next Generation, satellite: NASA Terra, sensor: MODIS)
Crab spread maps (Norway Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs/Institute of Marine Research)
Red king crab (Per Eide Studio)
Crab out of water (NOAA)

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