The Future of Crab on the Menu

A new study from Canada reveals that the number of crabs in our oceans is dropping as climate change damages their sense of smell. Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have impacted Dungeness crabs’ sense of smell, preventing them from detecting the smell of food, mates, suitable habitats, and avoiding predators. Dungeness crabs can be found on the Pacific coast, stretching from California to Alaska, and are one of the most popular crab species to eat. Their fishery was valued at more than $250 million USD in 2019.