Lummi Nation Aquatic Invasive Species Division staff deployed a series of innovative “crab slab” traps around the Lummi Sea Pond in July to test whether the new inventions can assist in removing invasive European green crab from the region’s shorelines.
“We’re in beta testing right now,” said Todd Gray, environmental protection ecologist with the Tulalip Tribes’ Natural Resources Department, who developed and is working to fine-tune the invention.
Several of the traps were deployed around the Tulalip Tribes’ homelands earlier in the year, although green crab has not yet been detected in that area.
“It’s going to be a big help to have you guys trying these out in a place where there is green crab,” Gray said to the Lummi team, which has been battling the invasive species for several years.
With intensive trapping using baited, in-water traps most of the year, Lummi has successfully reduced the European green crab population in the sea pond, which is important habitat for native wildlife and supports the tribe’s shellfish hatchery program.
Still, the tribe is looking for ways to continue chipping away at the invasive crab’s stronghold in the local ecosystem.
“We’re looking for the crumbs in the corners,” said Jonathan Hallenbeck, a fisheries biologist for Lummi. “Maybe we can use these traps to reach those areas we can’t get to with the other traps.”
Above: Todd Gray, environmental protection ecologist with the Tulalip Tribes’ Natural Resources Department, instructs Tatiana Elizondo, field biologist with Lummi Nation’s Aquatic Invasive Species Division, how to install and manage “crab slab” traps being tested for fighting invasive European green crab populations.
At right, top to bottom: Lummi staff choose a site for a crab slab outside Lummi Sea Pond. A crab slab rests on the bank outside Lummi Sea Pond at low tide. Todd Gray teaches Lummi European green crab field technicians Blake Zimmerman, left, and Kyle Selstead how to install a crab slab.
Story and photos by Kimberly Cauvel.
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