The PCRG came together virtually for a two day meeting on January 26th and 27th to share updates, hear research talks, and discuss the group's science and organizational priorities. Highlights included:
A presentation of the 2021 larval crab observations from the light trap network
An analysis of the fishing effectiveness of crab pots with open vs. closed escape rings for the purpose of adult crab population surveys
Updates on the goals for the Crabber and Scientist Exchange program, the expansion of the light trap network in British Columbia (Sentinels of Change program - Hakai Institute), and the start of a Puget Sound Dungeness crab genetics study (collaboration between Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Western Washington University)
A talk by Halle Berger (UConn) on her recently published paper "Seasonality and Life History Complexity Determine Vulnerability of Dungeness Crab to Multiple Climate Stressors"
An educator panel on different ways partners are integrating PCRG crab research into education and outreach opportunities
A talk by Jason Morgan on the research the NW Straits Foundation has been conducting since 2002 to look at the impacts of derelict gear on Dungeness crab populations
A 'next steps' discussion around PCRG larval crab data...interested in working with our data set to answer your crab questions? Contact the PCRG Coordinator at pnwcrab@gmail.com
The identification of the need for a PCRG centralized database as a top priority
An unusual looking Dungeness crab caught in the San Juan Islands in October 2021. Photo by Brian Allison (PSCA).