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