Can you eat Christmas island red crabs?

In this short article, we will provide an answer to the question, “Can you eat Christmas island red crabs?” and discuss if Christmas island red crabs are edible and if they should be eaten. 

Can you eat Christmas island red crabs?

Yes, theoretically they are edible. Being a crab and seafood, it has the general characteristics of a member of its genus. Crabs are considered edible and many species of crabs are a source of proteins, lipids and energy for human consumption (1). 

However, Christmas island red crabs should not be eaten, as they represent an important animal in maintaining the ecological equilibrium in the local ecosystem. Therefore, they are not fished, rather preserved (2).

Why should you not eat Christmas Island red crabs?

You should not eat Christmas Island Red crabs because they are an important species on Christmas Island and the consumption of these crabs by humans could result in the decrease of their population. 

They play important roles on the local ecosystem, including (2):

  • Preventing or reducing the risk of invasion of invasive plant species 
  • Transferring nutrients from the land to the sea and from the sea to land
  • Contribute to the reduction of flies in the area, especially carrions
  • Contribute for the aerating the soil
  • Contribute for the maintaining of the soil conditions
  • Contribute for the drinking water supply of other animals

What are the options for Christmas Island red crabs?

The options for Christmas Island Red crabs are (3):

  • Alaska king crab
  • Green crab (C. mediterraneus)
  • Mud crab (S. serrata)
  • Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister)
  • Brown crab (Cancer pagurus)

What are the benefits related to the consumption of crabs?

The related to the consumption of crabs are (3):

  • Crab meat is a source of proteins, including essential amino acids and bioactive peptides
  • Crab meat contains important lipids, including essential (not synthesized by the human body) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
  • Crab meat is a source of valuable vitamins, such as B12, vitamin D and carotenoids (pro-vitamin A)
  • Crab meat is a source of important minerals, including copper, zinc, inorganic phosphate, sodium, potassium, selenium and iodine, which help maintaining health and the proper function of the body

What are the risks related to the consumption of crabs?

The risks related to the consumption of crabs are (3):

  • They carry pathogenic microorganisms, such as L. monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica and E.coli as well as parasites, such as vibrio species and can cause foodborne diseases 
  • Their meat contain heavy metals and other environmental toxic compounds such as antibiotics
  • They can cause allergy reactions to allergic individuals 

Conclusion 

In this short article, we have provided an answer to the question, “Can you eat Christmas island red crabs?” and discuss if Christmas island red crabs are edible and if they should be eaten. 

References 

  1. Dammannagoda Acharige, Lalith Keerthiratne. An investigation of functional diversity of endogenous cellulase and expression of other digestive enzyme genes in freshwater crayfish (Cherax) species. Diss. Queensland University of Technology, 2014.
  2. Sang, Huynh Minh, et al. Reproductive Biology of Land Crabs (Gecarcoidea lalandii) in Ly Son Island, Quang Ngai Province–Vietnam. Ann Rese Rev Biol, 2021, 36, 111-120.
  3. Venugopal, Vazhiyil, and Kumarapanicker Gopakumar. Shellfish: nutritive value, health benefits, and consumer safety. Comprehen Rev Food Sci Food Safety, 2017, 16, 1219-1242.

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