Eyes on the Beach

Through Molt Search, trained community members contribute to early detection of  invasive European green crab while also tracking native Dungeness crab across Washington’s shorelines.

As a participant, you’ll search for outgrown crab shells (“molts”), and report your findings through the MyCoast app or webpage. The timing and commitment is flexible; you’re welcome to search whenever, wherever, and as often as you’d like.

To get started, attend a free training led by Crab Team staff and trained local partners between April and September each year. These trainings teach participants simple, standardized steps for searching and reporting on the presence (and absence!) of European green crab and Dungeness crab molts. Specifically, participants learn:

• Background on invasive green crab in Washington

• Identification of native and invasive crab molts

• Molt Search protocols and hands-on practice

Get Started With Molt Search

Joining Molt Search takes just a few steps:

1. Attend a training workshop. Held virtually and in-person across the region in summer months, each training covers European green crab invasion background, crab identification, and Molt Search protocols.

See the list of upcoming events below and sign up for the “Molt-o-Meter” newsletter to get updates in your inbox.

Have a community group that would like to host a training? We can support local group trainings as staffing allows. Email crabteam@uw.edu to start the conversation!

3. Find a shore, set a timer, do a Molt Search!

Upcoming Events

Access the resources needed to participate in Molt Search including ID guides and detailed protocol.

The program is a collaboration between Washington Sea Grant and Washington State University Extension. Molt Search activities are permitted in Washington State Parks under Scientific Research Permit #230603