A marine biologist and commercial diver says the Puget Sound king crab’s purple-to-neon colouring is often brightest near the surface and is visible during dives in Howe Sound and near Whytecliff Park.
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The Puget Sound king crab, a species known for vivid purple and orange colouring, can be seen during dives in Metro Vancouver waters, according to marine biologist and commercial diver Mitchell Hewitt.
Hewitt said the colour is typically brighter at the surface. He explained that baby crabs are usually neon-orange, while juveniles and adults can range from reddish to deep purple, with many shades in between.
Describing size, Hewitt said the bright orange crablets may be about the size of a loonie, while mature adults can reach around 28 centimetres (11 inches) across on the shell, excluding their legs.
Beyond appearance, Hewitt said the king crab plays an ecological role as a scavenger. A Parksville Qualicum Beach post states that the species helps maintain underwater ecosystem health by cleaning up dead organisms and preventing disease spread.
Hewitt noted that the crabs can be shy, but some are “diver curious.” He said he sees a variety of marine life almost daily, with his work taking him underwater about five or six times a week.
Most of the crab photos Hewitt described were taken during dives off Whytecliff Park and in Howe Sound. He added that he has been noticing “quite a few hanging around Howe Sound this fall,” in a written Instagram post.
Hewitt said popular local dive spots such as Howe Sound and Kelvin Grove in Lions Bay can offer diverse marine life, but visibility is not always as clear as in warmer dive locations. He said that at times he can see only about three to eight feet ahead.
He said he has dived as deep as 150 feet (46 metres), but that he also spots colourful crustaceans at depths as shallow as 40 feet (12 metres), commonly seeing them much deeper, typically 60 to 120 feet.
Hewitt said his diving work includes significant habitat offsetting, which involves restoring habitat that may have been altered by a project, and he also conducts scientific research by collecting data on what he sees.
He said he hopes sharing photos and videos of local diving and marine life will encourage people to get curious about protecting local waters. Hewitt’s social media handle is @hewiitdoesit.
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