Primary Vector: Importation of Live Seafood
A vector for mitten crabs is their illegal importation as live
seafood. Chinese mitten crabs are considered a delicacy among Asian
communities, often fetching a high price per kilogram. (Cohen and
Carlton 1995) Even though there currently is a federal ban on the
importation, capture, or possession of these crabs in the United
States (50 CFR 16), many people within communities may not know about
such laws or, due to the high value of the crabs, may choose to take
the risk and ignore the law anyway. No detailed study of this
possible live seafood vector through Asian communities has yet been
undertaken.
created 5/4/98