Port Townsend Marine Science Center and partners are holding an upcoming Molt Search trainings for interested crab enthusiasts, and beach walkers! Participation is limited to 25 individuals per session.

Molt Search is a new, app-based program that will enable anyone who walks the shorelines of Puget Sound to identify and report one of Washington state’s most concerning invasive species: European green crab. The emerging invasion by European green crabs (Carcinus maenas) threatens marine resources in Washington. Early detection of small populations gives us the best chance to reduce the spread and impact of this globally damaging invasive species. Washington Sea Grant and Washington State University Extension have teamed up to launch a new volunteer-based early detection program, Molt Search, to complement the existing WSG Crab Team trapping and monitoring network. Molt Search aims to support broader participation in early detection by teaching volunteers what to look for and how to report the presence of European green crab molts along inland shorelines. These molts can serve as an early indicator of the presence of European green crab in an area. Survey results will be collected via the MyCoast app, an existing reporting resource from Washington DNR that collects reports on topics ranging from abandoned ships to storm surges. For more info and to register: https://ptmsc.org/event/molt-search-training-6-1-25/