Since last August, I have been assisting Dr. Alan Young in all aspects of a grant-funded year-long research project exploring the population dynamics of the invasive European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas). The position (inherited from Ethan Fertsch - thanks, Ethan!) includes monthly deployment of baited green crab traps from a variety of docks located in Salem, Beverly and Danvers. All crabs collected during the course of a week are frozen for future determination of size, sex, and color (while the dorsal surface remains fairly consistent, the ventral surface changes to yellow, orange, and finally red during the molt cycle). In just one semester, I have learned a lot about the green crab in addition to various research methods. The project has also presented me with new opportunities outside of Salem State University.
In the midst of a chaotic finals week, Dr. Young and I attended the first Green Crab Summit organized by Maine Sea Grant, Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR), and Maine Coastal Program held at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine (Thanks to the Biology Department and the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences for providing funding). The meeting was arranged primarily to examine the impact of the invasive species on commercial fisherman (clammers), but there were also many scientists that came to discuss research being conducted. In fact, over 300 people attended the conference, with about 350 people tuned in to the live broadcast of the presentations. That is really quite a turnout given the time of year and the isolated location plagued by the harsh Maine weather. Data in the survey I am participating in is still being collected, so Dr. Young and I were merely audience members.Still, my first conference was certainly thought-provoking. There were science related talks, starting off with the ecology of the green crab, all the way to using a genotype as a mode of tracing the path they have taken in the last 200 years since arriving in New Jersey. In contrast, there were several policy related talks directed more towards the fishermen. These were largely entertaining debates between fisherman and scientists regarding shellfish municipal programs, licensure, and costs.
On the topic of controlling the omnipresent crustacean, a number of different speakers suggested that the green crab should be utilized as fishmeal and fertilizer for farming and aquaculture. This would not only rid the hindrance on shellfish production, but also enhance economic function in the fisheries. One talk given by Dr. Denise Skonberg from the University of Maine focused explicitly on the commercialization of green crabs for hu*man consumption. In the study, Dr. Skonberg used a traditional “deboning machine” to shuck crabs at a more efficient rate than shucking them by hand. The mechanical separation technique yielded a meat puree that had a repulsive appearance. So in collaboration with a culinary arts student, Dr. Skonberg decided to have a panel sample the meat slurry concealed in a pleasant looking empanada. The results just met the standard scores of acceptance recommended for new products. This talk was exhilarating for me, because I have been pondering the idea of human consumption of green crabs for the past few months. As found in Dr. Skonberg’s study, green crab meat tastes exceptionally sweet (yes, I have eaten it) and I believe that there would be no problem finding a market for them; however it is the small size and unpredictable molting cycle that discourages a market for human consumption. Dr. Skonberg’s study inspired me to continue research to see if it would be possible to manipulate the molting cycle by a biological means, such as a hormone. If so, could an open aquaculture system be set up for them?I’ll get back to you on that. All the deliberations resulted in an eagerness to continue research. Seeing that many people congregate to solve a universal problem gave me a supplementary reason for committing to the field of marine sciences. All in all, the Green Crab Summit was an excellent source of networking and education and I hope to be a part of similar experiences in my academic career.
