Chinese hairy crab found in Scotland’s River Clyde raises environmental concerns

The remains of a Chinese hairy crab have been found in Scottish waters for the first time, with experts fearing the invasive species could pose an ecological threat to trout and salmon in Glasgow's River Clyde.

Environmental researchers searched the muddy waters of the Clyde yesterday for more evidence of the habitat-destroying Chinese hairy crab - also called the mitten crab. While it is a favoured delicacy in China, the crab has proven destructive to local ecosystems in many European countries.

The Mitten Crab Recording Project by the UK government has already confirmed the crabs have populated rivers in England as far north as the Tyne, but the sighting in the River Clyde confirms its presence over the Scottish border for the first time.

The first sighting was a fortnight ago, when the shell of one of the crabs was found in the Dalmarnock district of Glasgow.

Dr David Morritt of the University of London, who is tracking the crabs' advance, said: "They could have a devastating impact in a Scottish river."

The bottom-dwelling crustaceans eat fish eggs.