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Green Crab Research

As climate change continues to alter the abundance and distribution of invasive species, new strategies will need to be developed to mitigate the resulting ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Manomet’s green crab work aims to develop fisheries and markets that will provide a new source of economic opportunity for fishers and coastal communities. Utilizing an invasive species to diversify fisheries resources may ultimately enhance the future resiliency of New England’s coastal communities, and could serve as a unique example of how to mitigate and adapt to the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of climate-driven change.

Fisheries

Manomet’s goal is to sustain New England’s fishing heritage in a changing Gulf of Maine by restoring fisheries and diversifying opportunities in fishing and aquaculture. The Gulf of Maine is one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems—the heart of New England’s fishing heritage for over 400 years. Today, the Gulf is one of the fastest warming bodies of water on the planet, leading to big changes in the marine environment and a changing mix of species that survive and thrive. Manomet is on the doorstep of the Gulf of Maine and the forefront of developing sustainable adaptations to a changing climate.  Fishing in the Gulf of Maine generates nearly $4 billion each year and provides as many as 100,000...

Understanding the rise of blue crabs in the Gulf of Maine

The Gulf of Maine's warming waters are making conditions just right for this historically mid-Atlantic resident to set up shop. How will their emergence affect Maine's fishing industry, and what are community members doing to help scientists measure their impact? By Rafeed Hussain Beautiful. Savory. Swimmer. That’s what the scientific name for Atlantic blue crabs aptly translates to. These delectable decapods are quintessential to the fabric of the mid-Atlantic seafood scene, culture, and economy. In fact, about half of all blue crabs sold in the U.S. come from Chesapeake Bay. But climate change may be redefining what’s considered home territory for blue crabs—and for the North Atlantic fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. “Historically, outside...

In Maine, Manomet Fisheries advances research on green crabs, quahog aquaculture, and mudflat access for shellfish harvesters

By Jessie Batchelder Why are invasive green crabs, native to Europe, so capable of thriving in Maine’s Atlantic waters? Local biology students are getting involved in researching the species and its impacts on the Gulf of Maine’s coastal ecosystem. At Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine, ninth grade biology students recently wrapped up a classroom-based study of green crabs.  Through Manomet’s partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), students brought green crabs into their classroom and observed their behavior and molt patterns in tank experiments. This GMRI-led project is part of the Ecosystem Investigation Network, which works to connect organizations studying climate-related change in the Gulf of Maine with local communities and classrooms. During their study, students...

Fall Field Guide for the Gulf of Maine

Fall is a time of many changes; on land, it’s hard to ignore the changing color of the leaves and cooling temperatures. While the changes happening underwater may not be as visible, if you look close enough, you’ll see that marine organisms go through their own transitions, too. Several species are currently preparing for the harsh winter conditions of the Gulf of Maine and the changing seasonal cues trigger many different types of behavior. If you find yourself in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas of the coast of New England this season, see if you can spot examples of these seasonal marine phenomena. For most shellfish, the growing season is during the warmer months, when there is more food available...

eDNA Research

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is a new research and monitoring tool that Manomet uses in our fisheries and shorebirds research. All organisms shed DNA – in the form of scales, gametes, waste products, and more. By analyzing water and sediment samples, we can match DNA found in the samples to that of species of interest, allowing us to learn more about species distribution and population abundance. For our fisheries research, we are focused on river herring and shellfish. The mapping of the human genome was a huge breakthrough less than 20 years ago; now, the process of mapping genomes has become routine and the genomes of thousands of species are available from a federal database. The benefits of eDNA analysis...

Interview with Pete Countway of Bigelow Laboratory

We are partnering with the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences to apply eDNA to our work building sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Maine. As an adaptation to climate change, harvesters have been shifting their efforts to harvesting quahogs (aka hard shell clams). This species of clam is increasing in abundance (perhaps due to their tolerance of warmer waters and thick shells which protect them from predation) and growing in value as it becomes more common alongside oysters at raw bars and seafood restaurants. In 2018, we supported efforts in Georgetown, Maine to expand the quahog population by transplanting 50,000 adult quahogs with the goal of establishing a self-sustaining population. This summer, we are using eDNA to gauge whether or...

Are invasive green crab populations in the Gulf of Maine rising?

The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is a harmful invasive species linked to the decline of the soft-shell clam industry in New England and the degradation and loss of critical eelgrass and salt marsh habitat. Compounding these issues is the link between increasing green crab abundance and increasing ocean temperature, which has had severe ecological and socio-economic consequences in areas such as the Gulf of Maine, where warming is occurring faster than 99% of the world's oceans. In 2018, Manomet began our long-term intertidal crab monitoring project to track green crab population trends. We also collect data on native crabs and other invasive species such as the Asian shore crab. Our monitoring sites span much of mid-Coast Maine, from Damariscotta...

Shifting Tides

For nearly a decade, Anne Hayden’s work at Manomet has focused on restoring marine habitats and rebuilding sustainable fisheries. Throughout her career, Anne’s work has focused on planning and management for Maine’s watersheds, building engaging and inspiring educational programs and courses, restoring marine habitats, and rebuilding sustainable fisheries. Through social and natural science, she has worked to understand the dynamics of the marine ecosystem and align economic incentives with environmental stewardship. In addition, she has worked to restore sustainable and resilient fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and strengthen adaptive co-management to promote healthy marine ecosystems and thriving coastal communities. At the end of June 2021, Anne will be retiring from Manomet, leaving behind a long list of accomplishments and...

What’s changing on the mudflats?

Maine’s shellfish flats are very dynamic places changing with the storms and the tides. These flats are also affected by what happens in the watershed; runoff can carry excess nutrients, contaminants, or bacteria and both erosion and shoreline hardening affects the flats. Harvesting also affects the flats, but the biggest human-caused impact on them may be climate change. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the rest of the world's oceans, which has led to widespread and rapid impacts on nearshore coastal ecosystems. Some impacts are pretty clear. Invasive green crabs, which thrive in these warming waters, have decimated clams from Maine to Massachusetts. Other impacts are less obvious. Quahogs seem to be doing better in some...