Invasive king crabs have made their way to British shores, sparking fears that local brown crab and scallop populations could be decimated, The Guardian reports.
Last week, fishermen in North Yorkshire found their pots heavy with the lucrative species. Some London restaurants have already snapped up the haul.
These crabs had never been seen off British shores.
The species, native to North America, was introduced to Russia in the 1960s by scientists who wanted to establish a new fishery. Thriving in cold seas, the crab population exploded, and they traveled to Norway, where they caused a fishing industry boom.
Norway now has a regulated fishery for king crab.
"I’m excited about it but they seem like quite an invasive species, so I feel wary," fish supplier Shaun Henderson told The Guardian.
"They seem to be eating up the scallops at the bottom and they could outcompete brown crabs. I am a bit worried about our native seafood."
Will Murray, head chef at Fallow restaurant in St James’ Market, London, has bought up some of the haul.
“We are excited, but a bit terrified, as they really are invaders and could kill off all our brown crabs,” Murray said.
