Volunteers needed to defend Washington against the green crab invasion

Take a hike, and join the fight against the green crab invasion in Washington's waters.

The Washington Sea Grant is teaming up with Washington State University Extension to counter the rapid increase in the number of green crabs populating Puget Sound.

Nearly a quarter million European Green Crabs were trapped along the Washington coast last year, after Gov. Jay Inslee declared a green crab emergency. That's twice the number from the prior year, further indicating that the green crab population is booming. Shellfish businesses, tribes, and others have called for a green crab "blitz" across Washington's waters.

Now, WSU Extension and the Washington Sea Grant is launching a volunteer-based early detection program. Members of the public can help researchers spot and stop the creatures that destroy underwater habitats and attack local species, like Dungeness crabs.

The Washington Sea Grant will be holding a number of trainings, and "BioBlitz" events, in May and early June for folks interested in joining the cause. The volunteer events will be held in King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties. Check here for a list of dates and volunteer trainings.