- Most of life cycle is in rivers, but must migrate to the sea to breed.
- Burrowing in high density populations damages and weakens river banks increasing erosion and this affects flood defences (documented in Europe and North America).
- There is concern (UK and Ireland) about the impact of this species on some native fish species.
- Additional negative impacts, such as loss of biodiversity and recruitment of commercial species can be expected.
- Economic impacts associated in Germany known to have cost at least 80 million Euros in monetary value.
- It is an intermediate host for the mammalian lung fluke Paragonimus ringer, known to infect humans.
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- Ship ballast water and hull fouling.
- Live food trade and smuggling (mitten crab is a delicacy).
- Historic evidence elsewhere has shown that crabs are imported live illegally to markets.
- Once present it can colonise new river systems by walking over land.
- Planktonic stage in its life cycle can facilitate further distribution through water transfer.
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