The European green crab has been wreaking havoc on marine environments in Washington, and Friends of the San Juans is calling for the public to join in the fight against this invasive species. Through its “Molt Search” program, WSU Extension and Washington Sea Grant are seeking volunteers to help monitor shorelines for discarded shells of green crabs. This initiative is crucial in protecting local waters as limited monitoring resources are available.
The Molt Search program involves surveying shorelines and reporting any findings using a mobile app. Training sessions are being held in June to teach participants how to conduct these surveys and use the app effectively. Friends of the San Juans will be hosting Molt Search Workshops in June, providing several opportunities for community members to get involved. These workshops will include virtual training via Zoom on June 18 and in-person training sessions on Orcas Island on June 19 and Lopez Island on June 26.
Interested individuals can visit the Friends of the San Juans website at sanjuans.org to learn more about the workshops and register their attendance. For additional information or questions, contact Jess Newley, Friends’ Community Science and Education Director at Jess@sanjuans.org. Take action now by joining this community science project that aims to protect our local waters from the invasive European green crab invasion!
