Talk on Green Crab Invasion

Researcher holding two European green crabs. /Photo by WDFW

The Coos History Museum is hosting a talk by Dr. Schon Schooler on green crabs, an invasive species that plagues the West Coast. This event will be offered both online and in person in the Sprague Gallery at the Coos History Museum (1210 N. Front Street in Coos Bay). The talk is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m.-7 p.m., and those attending in person may enjoy the museum from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Dr. Schooler is the Lead Scientist at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Charleston, Oregon. His research focuses on practical measures to improve the management of aquatic resources. Dr. Schooler also mentors graduate and undergraduate students. He has extensive experience in invasive species and aquatic and estuarine ecology.

About the talk:

“In this talk, Dr. Shon Schooler will describe the history and impacts of the invasive crab species, the European green crab (Carcinus maenas). The green crab was accidentally transported around the world during the last century and has colonized many temperate coastlines. It is an aggressive invader that has the potential to negatively impact native species, important estuarine and marine fish nursery habitats, and fisheries. The green crab is currently invading the west coast of North America. Green crabs became established in the San Francisco estuary prior to 1989. Since then, coastal currents have been seeding green crab larvae into estuaries of the Pacific Northwest, including Coos Bay. Dr. Schooler and colleague Dr. Sylvia Yamada (Oregon State University) have been monitoring populations of green crabs in Coos Bay for over 20 years. He will discuss trends in population growth and describe potential impacts as the green crab population increases.”

Coos History Museum members can attend in person or online free of charge. Registration for nonmembers is $7 in person or $5 online.

For more information or to register, go here.