Chinese social media users are offering to help the U.S. with an invasive crab species that for years has choked rivers and lakes along the eastern seaboard - by eating them.
Environmental authorities recently asked local residents to keep an eye out for Chinese mitten crabs - also known as hairy crabs - and not to throw them back alive if caught.
Named for their furry claws and native to East Asia, the freshwater crabs have been known to disrupt local ecosystems, reads the notice by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
Though not generally considered edible in the U.S., hairy crabs are a delicacy in China, where they are raised in huge quantities and fetch high prices.
The crab invasion came as delicious news to Chinese net users.
"Just tell me how endangered you want the species to be and I'll be there," commented Weibo user "qqxiong."
"These crabs look really fresh and luscious - Can I bring a chef with me?" wrote Weibo user "zhangjun."
The Chinese internet similarly salivated over an oyster infestation along the western coast of Denmark in May 2017.
News of the oysters led to increased exports, as well as a boost of "oyster tours" from Chinese tourists looking to eat the shellfish fresh.
