June 2, 2025
Are you one of the millions of Washington residents living on or near the Salish Sea? Join the Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz on June 20 to contribute to the largest single-day dataset of crab molts collected in our state.
Volunteers reviewing collected molts in Whatcom County, 2023
Molts are the old shells that crabs shed when they grow. Collecting and recording these molts provides valuable data on which species of crab are present in an area, including invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas). The emerging invasion of green crab into Washington’s waters threatens marine resources. Therefore, collecting molts is a powerful tool in the early detection of green crab populations, giving us a better chance to reduce the spread and impact of this globally damaging invasive species. Molt surveys also provide insight into native crab species like Dungeness, which is threatened by the movements of green crab.
With Molt Search, led by Washington Sea Grant Crab Team and Washington State University Extension, local communities have the ability to monitor their local shorelines to detect and respond quickly to new invasive green crab spread. Community members can monitor local shorelines by performing systematic, timed searches for molts according to Molt Search protocols and submitting findings via the MyCoast smartphone app or website (mycoast.org/wa/crab).
San Juan County volunteers posing with their molts, 2023
Last year, we held our first Molt Blitz, which brought 100 report submissions in a single day. More than 100 people joined to search for crab molts at one of eight activated beaches, with even more searching at their local shores throughout the Salish Sea region. Activated beaches provide a mix of trainings, crabby Q&A, and group opportunities to practice ID skills and searches together, making it easy for beach-goers to contribute to community science. The daylong event was highlighted by both KUOW and the Seattle Times.
You can help create the largest single-day dataset of crab molts by participating in Molt Blitz and submitting a Molt Search report from your local shoreline on June 20. Not sure how? Join our Molt Search Season Kickoff Webinar on June 4 or our many public trainings offered in-person across western Washington and online (June 17) this month. On Blitz day, you can join a Molt Search trainer on a beach near you. Timed searches take just 20 minutes or fewer if you bring more friends along.
All trainings and events associated with the June 20 Molt Blitz are listed at wsg.washington.edu/moltsearch, with activated beaches found in the Molt Search Events map. Happy searching!
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Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, helps people and marine life thrive through research, technical expertise and education supporting the responsible use and conservation of coastal ecosystems. Washington Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in coastal and Great Lakes states that encourage the wise stewardship of our marine resources through research, education, outreach and technology transfer.
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JUN
2025