Fighting Hermit Crab Exports

Over the winter break, Amanda Dorn MP uncovered a disturbing proposal for the capture and export of WA’s wild hermit crabs for the global pet trade.

Hermit crabs play vital ecological roles—cycling nutrients, breaking down organic material, and supporting coastal health. Yet if this proposal is approved, up to 5,000 crabs could be taken every month for three years. These animals would be stripped from their ecosystems and sold as short-lived novelty pets.

Amanda delivered a Members Statement to Parliament, noting that this trade is reckless and not based in science. Additionally, there is no independent monitoring of hermit crab populations.