NLC Green Crab Condos and Molting Research

The Nantucket Land Council (NLC) has collaborated with the Town of Nantucket Natural Resources Department and the Maria Mitchell Association to investigate the numbers and population dynamics of green crabs in Nantucket Harbor. This work has expanded in 2020 to include the NLC’s new green crab molting program, which is designed to explore the possibilities of this invasive species as a viable Nantucket fishery. The green crab is considered a delicacy in its European home waters- crabs are eaten soft-shell, a mainstay in soups and stews, crab cakes, and even the roe is a favorite of fishing communities along the Mediterranean sea. The NLC hopes to bring the centuries-old tradition of cooking green crabs right here to Nantucket, supporting local businesses and helping to solve an ecological problem wreaking havoc in our harbors. Watch to learn all about our Green Crab condos and how we will use them to track the molting stages of Green Crabs and why this is important to our harbor health.