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Raising the profile of the pesky green crab
More than 75 fishermen, chefs, consumers, regulators, scientists and educators came together in Portland, Maine, earlier this month to talk about how to develop a viable fishery and markets for the invasive green crab. Manomet worked with New Hampshire Sea Grant to convene ‘The Green Crab Working Summit,’ which attracted nationwide attention. The two-day program included speakers from chefs to fishermen to educators to scientists, as well as cooking demonstrations, all focused on how best to mitigate the impacts of this invader. Participants learned about many ongoing projects, including creating markets for soft-shell green crab, green crab roe, and green crab mince, as well as ongoing efforts to expand the green crab bait market (e.g., using green crab bait...
The impact of Manomet’s work
Manomet is on the ground working to build a better, more sustainable world by applying science and engaging people. As a Manomet supporter, you don’t have to look far to see examples of the work that you’re making possible and the impact that we’re having by working together. Take for instance Manomet’s Arctic Field Research. We know that shorebird populations are declining dramatically, but what’s unclear is exactly why. With your support, Manomet scientists are in the field collecting important data on shorebird abundance and distribution in remote areas like the North Slope of Alaska. In fact, you may have seen Manomet’s research that established the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska as one of the most important areas for aquatic birds in the...
McMahan receives two awards for fisheries work
Marissa McMahan, Senior Fisheries Scientist, recently received two prestigious awards for her fisheries research. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) awarded McMahan the 2017 John H. Annala Fishery Leadership Award. This award was established in honor of GMRI’s founding Chief Scientific Officer and recognizes an early career fisheries scientist whose work has the potential to benefit the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. The award states: “For her contribution to understanding changing fish distributions in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and her commitment to collaboration between scientists and fishermen.” McMahan noted how honored she is to receive the award: “It is particularly meaningful to me because I started my early scientific career at GMRI,...
Green Crab Working Summit
Join Manomet, the New Hampshire Sea Grant and the Green Crab R&D Project at O’Maine Studios this summer for the first ever ‘Green Crab Working Summit’. The summit is designed for fishermen, chefs, consumers, anyone in the seafood industry, regulators, scientists and educators who have been thinking about, studying or already fishing for, or eating green crabs. Let’s come together to strategize on how to develop a viable fishery and markets for this invasive crab -- a delicious, plentiful and full of potential crustacean that is wreaking havoc economically and environmentally! This summit is an excellent opportunity to learn from each other, network and strategize on how best to mitigate the impacts of this invader. AGENDA The two-day agenda will include speakers from...
Engaging with fishermen to create more sustainable fisheries
Many of our meetings are with small groups or one-on-one, but we get excited about events that bring entire industries together to talk change. The way that Manomet moves science forward is by bringing diverse opinions and interests together to discuss complex issues. The Maine Fishermen’s Forum, March 1-3 in Rockport, ME, envisions a healthy fishing industry engaged in stewardship and self-regulation, and we are looking forward to seeing old friends and building new relationships. The Forum brings together host fishermen, gear suppliers, scientists, government, and other stakeholders to collaborate on all things fishing: markets, resource status, regulations, the latest in technology, the environment, and more. Manomet is providing leadership at two sessions during the 2018 event. Senior Fisheries Scientist...
Manomet expands focus on fisheries in the rapidly warming Gulf of Maine
Manomet is pleased to announce that Marissa McMahan is joining our Sustainable Economies Program as a Senior Fisheries Scientist, beginning in September. Her role will be to grow an applied fisheries science program in a way that helps fishermen adapt to the changing, warming Gulf of Maine. Marissa McMahan, Senior Fisheries Scientist, Manomet The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans and the impact on New England’s fisheries economy is increasing. With McMahan on staff, Manomet will now be able to focus additional resources on restoring and growing the soft-shell clam industry in Maine; determining the viability of a soft-shell green crab industry in New England and examining the implications of the expansion of black...
Green crabs have invaded, and if you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em
This article was written by Christine Burns Rudalevige and originally published by the Portland Press Herald July 24, 2017. Staff photo by Derek Davis. See the original article here. When I started writing about sustainable seafood five years ago, my biggest fear was working on a story that involved a seaworthy vessel in a storm. Under those conditions, my not so seaworthy constitution would be exposed. I’d imagined more heaving of my lunch than honing of my reporting skills. That assignment has yet to materialize. But my squeamish stomach made an appearance two weeks ago in the face of a locally harvested, deep-fried, soft-shell green crab at Salt Pine Social in Bath. I’d chosen the smallest one on the plate. It was about...
Manomet expands focus on fisheries in the rapidly warming Gulf of Maine
Manomet is pleased to announce the addition of Marissa McMahan as a Senior Fisheries Scientist. McMahan’s role will be to grow an applied fisheries science program in a way that helps fishermen adapt to the changing, warming Gulf of Maine. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans and the impact on New England’s fisheries economy is increasing. With McMahan on staff, Manomet will now be able to focus additional resources on restoring and growing the soft-shell clam industry in Maine; determining the viability of a soft-shell green crab industry in New England and examining the implications of the expansion of black sea bass, a commercially important species that has been moving north in response...
John Hagan: “From Soft-Shell Clams to Soft-Shell Crabs: Two Practical Solutions for Adapting to a Warming Gulf of Maine”
Originally posted at community.bowdoin.edu on February 16, 2017. Written by Rebecca Goldfine. Bowdoin College hosted two speakers this week who are exploring ways that Mainers who earn their livelihoods from the sea might respond to a warming ocean and changing marine ecosystem. The Gulf of Maine is heating up faster than 99 percent of the world’s oceans, and scientists foresee a time when historically lucrative fisheries—like lobstering and clamming—are gone, replaced with fish species unfamiliar to us. On Tuesday evening, field ecologist John Hagan spoke about his project to develop soft-shell clam farming in Maine. He was joined by Jonathan Taggart of Georgetown, Maine, who described his efforts to turn the invasive and problematic green crab into a sought-after food. (Originally invited speaker Marissa McMahan was not able...
Development Update – Grants and Funding Awarded for FY 2017, 1st Quarter
Manomet had a very successful first quarter with regard to grant awards for programs. In total, we received over $985,000 through grants for this quarter alone! Foundation and government grants are vital to supporting both Manomet’s operations and programs and make it possible for all of our work that helps sustain our world. Sustainable Economies Jane’s Trust Foundation: Thanks to a $60,000 grant from the Jane’s Trust Foundation, the Grocery Stewardship Certification project will be delivered to independent grocers in New Hampshire. This project will evaluate the environmental impacts of more than 200 common practices at 20 grocery stores in NH. Manomet is partnering with the NH Grocers Association (NHGA) and NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In...