{"id":2700,"date":"2024-01-23T16:23:06","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T00:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/water\/?page_id=2700"},"modified":"2024-02-12T12:19:47","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T20:19:47","slug":"molt-search","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/water\/molt-search\/","title":{"rendered":"Molt Search"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\"People \n\t<\/div>\n

Photo by Jess Newley, Friends of the San Juans<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Molt Search helps protect Washington’s shorelines from an invasive crab<\/h1>\n

The European green crab is a hardy and voracious predator native to Western Europe and Northwestern Africa.\u202f This species has invaded intertidal zones around the globe and, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, it is considered one of the world\u2019s worst invasive species.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This invasive crab threatens shellfish and juvenile Dungeness crab, eelgrass beds which provide critical habitat for juvenile salmon, the food supply for shorebirds, and the overall health of Washington\u2019s marine waters.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How you can help<\/h2>\n

W<\/span>ashington State University Extension<\/span> and Washington Sea Grant<\/span> have teamed up to launch a new volunteer-based early detection program<\/span> called <\/span>Molt Search<\/span>. \u00a0<\/span>If you <\/span>enjoy <\/span>walking on<\/span> the beach, or <\/span>have shoreline property,<\/span> you can <\/span>make a meaningful contribution to <\/span>help <\/span>prevent<\/span> this voracious predator<\/span> from <\/span>establishing<\/span> large populations in the Salish Sea<\/span>. \u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Molt Search work?<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. You conduct a 20-minute search for crab molts on the beach (10-minutes if working with a friend, 5-minutes if working as a team of 4).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. You take a photo of your molt collection,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. You identify the molts you found,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. If you\u2019ve found European green crab molts or wish to collect data on Dungeness crab molts (an optional component of Molt Search), you take some measurements of some of the molts, and\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. You report your findings via the free MyCoast app.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Molt Search Training & Events<\/h2>\n

    Attend a Molt Search Training!\u00a0 You\u2019ll learn how to conduct a systematic survey for crab molts, how to properly identify the European green crab and distinguish it from our commonly found native crabs, how to take measurements of the crab molts and how to report your findings using the MyCoast mobile app.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Training and event dates for 2024 have not been scheduled, yet.\u00a0 Check back here or sign up for the Molt-o-Meter Newsletter<\/a> to get information on upcoming events (and other crab news) delivered to your inbox.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Read past Molt-o-meter newsletters<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Molt Search Resources<\/h2>\n

    Download the Molt ID guide and Molt Search protocol.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

    \"Crab<\/a>
    Molt Search ID Guide<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \"Molt<\/a>
    Molt Search Survey Protocol<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

    You can view the most recent Molt Search reports on the MyCoast website on the MyCoast Molt Search Reports page here <\/span>https:\/\/mycoast.org\/wa\/crab<\/span><\/a> or you can visit the MyCoast homepage here https:\/\/mycoast.org\/wa<\/a>.\u00a0 The MyCoast app is free and available for download <\/span>for <\/span>Apple <\/span><\/i><\/a>or <\/span>Android.<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

    \n\t
    Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/dt>\n\t
    <\/p>\n

    Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

    How do I start Molt Search?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Joining Molt Search takes just a few steps:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Attend a training workshop. Held virtually and in-person across the region in summer months <\/span>(<\/span><\/i>see calendar<\/span><\/i><\/a>).\u00a0 Molt Search trainings cover European green crab invasion background, crab identification, and Molt Search protocols.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Create a <\/span>MyCoast Account<\/span><\/a>. This is where you\u2019ll log your report, either via the app or the website.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Do Molt Searches on any of Washington\u2019s Salish Sea shorelines, as often as you\u2019d like.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Where should I do a survey?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      This program is designed to get more eyes on more shorelines to help managers detect new populations of green crab. For this reason, your surveys are most valuable on <\/span><\/span>shorelines of Washington\u2019s Salish Sea<\/span><\/span>. Molt Searches can be done on any shoreline where you have <\/span><\/span>safe, legal access<\/span><\/span>. Be aware of local collection and access regulations. <\/span><\/span>Take a look<\/span> at the map<\/span><\/span><\/a> of where previous Molt Searches have been submitted.<\/span> The more coverage, the better!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Note: Molt Searches are welcome on Washington State Park shorelines, too! <\/span><\/span>Scientific Resea<\/span>r<\/span>ch Permit #230603<\/span><\/span><\/a> covers these activities.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      When should I do surveys<\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Surveys are welcomed <\/span>from<\/span> any time of day or <\/span>day of the <\/span>year. Because molts are a result of crabs outgrowing their shell, <\/span>you\u2019ll<\/span> likely find<\/span> more <\/span><\/span>during warmer months<\/span><\/span> (May-October) when crabs are growing more quickly. You are welcome to conduct Molt Searches as <\/span>frequently<\/span> or seldom as <\/span>you\u2019d<\/span> like. A monthly survey from a shoreline near you would be a great contribution to the dataset!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Can my friends join me on a Molt Search?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Yes! Molt Searches can be done in teams of up to 4 people, and only one of those must be trained. To help us maintain our data integrity, anyone who hasn\u2019t yet attended a volunteer monitoring workshop should rely on a trained volunteer to direct the search and submit the group\u2019s report via their MyCoast account. Have fun working together to gather and identify all the molts you can find!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      If your friends want to do more molt searches on their own, help them <\/span>find an upcoming training<\/span><\/a> to learn how to submit their own data.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      How do I know if <\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> found a molt or a dead crab<\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

      Because we\u2019re interested in the presence or absence of green crabs and Dungeness crabs, don\u2019t fret too much about this distinction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      If you\u2019re unsure, feel free to submit additional photos of the individual in question with your report and add any notes or observations in the Field Notes\/Comments section on the last page of the MyCoast reporting form. Sometimes it can be tricky to tell if the shell in your hand is a molt or dead crab. To get to the bottom of it, we\u2019ve outlined four questions you can ask yourself:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Is there any obvious trauma?<\/span><\/b> Some predators will leave specific clues behind after munching on crab shells. Looking for these clues may help you distinguish between a molt or a dead crab that met an unfortunate demise.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \n
        1. How heavy is it?<\/span><\/b> Molts are typically much lighter than dead crabs with tissue still in-tact.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. Does it open?<\/span><\/b> Because molting crabs essentially climb out the back of their shells, the shell of a molt should easily open on a hinge (much like a jewelry box). If it\u2019s hard to open, it\u2019s likely a dead crab.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. What\u2019s inside? <\/span><\/b>Molted shells should be quite clean inside, while dead crabs may contain goo or crust of internal tissue. Remember that feathery gill tissue appears in molts too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              [INSERT MOLT VS DEAD IMAGES HERE]<\/strong><\/p>\n

              A molt (left) will have a clean shell interior, and open like a jewelry box hinging at the eyes. A dead crab (right) may be filled with \u201cgoo\u201d of various colors in the middle section of the shell and attached to the inside of the carapace. Note that both crabs appear to have gills, while the molt actually only has the molted coverings of the gills. <\/span>Photos Jeff Adams and Emily Grason<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              Curiosity piqued? Read even more in this <\/span>WSG Crab Team blog post<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

              What if I find a species I <\/span>can\u2019t<\/span> identify<\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

              The <\/span>Molt Search ID guide <\/span><\/i><\/a>has many of the species that we think you are likely to see in your molt surveys, but it doesn\u2019t include everything and every beach is different. It also can take some practice to feel confident in your species identifications! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              If you find anything you can\u2019t identify, make sure the molt is in your collection photo and leave us a note in the Field Notes\/Comments section on the last page of the MyCoast reporting app. You can also include an additional, close-up photo <\/span><\/p>\n

              of your mystery molt.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              Can I edit a report after I <\/span>submit<\/span> it?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

              What happens to my data after I <\/span>submit<\/span> the survey?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

              Whether or not a report includes green crab, the locations of Molt Searches will be included in annual planning conversations where Washington Sea Grant works with WDFW and local partners to best distribute limited monitoring resources across the region. It\u2019s important to know where searches have yielded no evidence of green crab presence, so that search efforts can instead be focused on locations that have yet to be explored.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              All confirmed detections of European green crabs in a new water body will be directly communicated to WDFW and relevant local partners. From there, managers may initiate a follow-up trapping effort to determine the extent of the location population. Based on the outcome of that assessment, managers and scientists discuss what ongoing efforts may be appropriate for the site\u2014ranging from continued monitoring, repeated assessments, or intensive control trapping. Learn more about how European green crabs are managed in Washington at <\/span>WDFW\u2019s European Green Crab Hub<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              How can my group host a Molt Search training? <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

              We are currently developing our plans to further expand our workshop offerings. There are currently two ways your group can hold a local Molt Search training.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Send a representative to our annual train-the-trainers workshop, where they\u2019ll learn how to organize a public-facing Molt Search workshop and teach these protocols in your local community. Workshops given by facilitators who attend a \u201ctrain-the-trainers\u201d are supported by Molt Search advertising and materials.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \n
                1. On a limited basis and with some date coordination, Molt Search staff can send a trainer to your group\u2019s meeting.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Start a planning conversation by sending us an email: <\/span>crabteam@uw.edu<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

                  \"WSU<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                  \"Molt<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                  \"Washington<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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              Each and every report you submit gets monitored by Washington Sea Grant staff for reports for European green crab findings. Visit <\/span>https:\/\/mycoast.org\/wa\/crab<\/span><\/i><\/a> to view all the new reports coming in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              You can edit or delete reports from your computer via the <\/span>MyCoast website<\/span><\/i><\/a>. From there, log in to your MyCoast account and then use the top menu bar to navigate to \u201cMy Account\u201d > \u201cMy Reports\u201d to view, edit, and delete your submitted reports. If you have trouble, feel free to send the Washington Sea Grant Crab Team an email (crabteam@uw.edu) with any notes or amendments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n