[BlueChip]

The Search for Megalops – Citizen Monitoring
and Blue Crab Fishers Observations
You do not need to be a scientist to report!

Blue Crab Report #4 – June 27th 2011

Reports 1 to 3 are available – email Tim Visel at tim.visel@new-haven.k12.ct.us

While positive reports continue to arrive daily from western CT, in general only a few eastern CT observations of adult blue crabs have occurred. Any surviving crab populations from the Pawcatuck/Stonington estuary, the Poquonock River in Groton, Alewife Cove in New London, Niantic River (above the causeway) Pattaganset System and Old Lyme Shores are thought to be few. Point of Woods, Old Lyme observations includes one report of sighting three adult crabs. Some crabs reported in the Neck River, Madison. Nothing has been reported from Essex and in Old Saybrook’s North Cove, one of the most popular blue crabbing spots last year, reports little/no activity (June). The mouths of the several dredged areas especially the Pachaug; Hammonasset River reports a few large hard shells male (jimmies) being caught.

Although the western sections (Milford to Greenwich) now report heavy concentrations of small (1 to 2 inch) crabs in shallow areas, in warmer waters many 3 inch crabs are mixed with 5 to 6 inch crabs (in Milford).

Observations and conversations with fishermen in Clinton Harbor reported one dead crab and suggest that it will be the end of July before crabs are seen. Some Clinton reports included small crabs in the marshes of Hammock River. Other comments talk about the rain and cool weather as factors delaying crabbing.

North Cove in Old Saybrook functions more as a salt pond and has been dredged. It contains a Federal Anchorage Area. It has been the site of much blue crabbing activity especially during last summer. Reports from the Ecosystem Management Team for Chesapeake Bay (Blue Crab Team) include observations that over wintering crabs seek out deeper waters and in many cases navigational dredged areas. (Maryland Coastal Bays 8.6 – 8.84) North Cove, therefore, may prove to be an important eastern CT research area. The cove’s northern edges contain several feet of anaerobic decaying organic matter (leaves) and soft bottoms in which blue crabs can hide; the dredged area may retain sufficient salinity to protect these crabs from excessive fresh water poisoning, yet fresh enough to ward off the serious high salinity predator, the starfish. If adult crabs appear in great numbers in North Cove Old Saybrook, it could be a key indicator for other salt ponds or dredged channels in eastern CT. Last year North Cove had thousands of adult crabs and at times dozens of crabbers. North Cove could become a key location/indicator for over wintering crabs in the east.

All observations/reports are welcome – observations of blue crabs or fishing reports (locations are generalized) are very much needed. Every report is helpful as we learn more about the blue crab and its habitat in Long Island Sound.

I have had a couple reports mention that “they are not scientists,” but that’s okay – fishing success and observations are what is needed now!

Thank you for your cooperation. Email blue crab reports to tim.visel@new-haven.k12.ct.us

The Search for Megalops is part of a Project Shellfish/Finfish Student/Citizen Monitoring Effort Supported by a 2005 grant to The Sound School from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant #2005-0191-001.

Other sections include these cooperative research projects: Project Limulus, Horseshoe Crab Studies, Sacred Heart University, “Where Have all The Flounder Gone?” – Bivalve Shell Habitat Research, Municipal Shellfish Commissions Blackfish/Sea Bass Tagging Studies (NMFS) Milford NOAA Lab, New Haven Harbor Monitoring – University of New Haven, Water Chemistry, Marine Aquarium at Norwalk. All About Terrapins – Coastal Land Trusts and Conservation Commissions, CT Fish Census – Marine Science classes along the Shore, Fish Census School Partners - 2011-2012 School Year (starts Sept 1).
Daniel Hand High School – Madison
Guilford High School – Guilford
Old Saybrook High School – Old Saybrook, CT

Program reports are available upon request.
For more information about New Haven Environmental Monitoring Initiative or for reports please contact Susan Weber, Sound School Adult Education and Outreach Program Coordinator at susan.weber@new-haven.k12.ct.us