The 5-spine crab (Carcinus maenas) has been transported around the world during the last century and has colonized many temperate coastlines (Behrens Yamada 2001). The trait best used to distinguish Carcinus maenus from other crabs along the west coast of North America are the 5 spines on either side of the eyes. In conversations with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff the primary concern with community-based trapping programs is the potential for mis-identification and the resulting destruction of native crab species, since some have green coloration and could therefore could be mistaken for “green” crabs. South Slough Reserve suggested changing the common name to 5-spine crab since that imparts a better identification trait than green crab. They note that in the 5-spine crab’s native range in Europe, it is called the common shore crab, not the “green” crab. To advocate for the change in name the reserve will use 5-spine crab for this report.
Numerous research studies have examined the biology and ecology of 5-spine crabs and have found the 5-spine crab to be an aggressive invader that negatively effects native species, important estuarine and marine habitats, and fisheries (Behrens Yamada, 2001; Grosholz et al., 2011; Malyshev & Quijo´n, 2011; Garbary et al., 2014; Neckles, 2015; Matheson et al., 2016; Howard et al., 2019; Green and Grosholz 2021). The 5-spine crab is currently invading the west coast of North America. 5-spine crabs became established in the San Francisco estuary prior to 1989 (Behrens Yamada, 2001). Since then, coastal currents have been seeding 5-spine crab larvae into estuaries of the Pacific Northwest, including Coos Bay (Behrens Yamada et al., 2015). In the past, this migration appears to be linked to strong northwards currents during El Niño years (Behrens Yamada et al., 2015; Behrens Yamada et al., 2021), as indicated by a mixture of high abundance years, low abundance years, and extinction events. However, since 2016 the abundance of 5-spine crabs has been continuously increasing in Coos Bay and is now at levels where negative impacts are expected to occur. The purpose of this project is to monitor changes in 5-spine crab abundance and annual recruitment in the Coos Bay Estuary. The project goals are to: 1) examine change in 5-spine crab abundance (CPUE) among sites and over time, 2) examine the young-of-the-year new recruit age class to assess size structure and determine whether recruitment is occurring from within Coos Bay.
At each of the sites the group set either Fukui fish traps and/or crayfish traps (5cm trap opening) during morning low tide and retrieved traps at low tide the following morning (24 hours). Sets of traps were set as 6 traps per site. Fukui and crayfish traps were baited with raw tuna enclosed in a plastic bait container and staked in place with a 20 inch steel rod. When traps were retrieved, the number of individuals of each crab species in each trap was recorded. Dungeness crabs (Metacarcinus magister), red rock crabs (Cancer productus), and shore crabs (Hemigrapsus oregonensis and H. nudis) were counted but not measured. When possible, the water quality data was reported (salinity, pH, temperature) at the trap site using a YSI hand-held meter. European 5-spine crabs (Carcinus maenas) were counted in the field and then brought back to the laboratory and measured for size (carapace width, mm), weight (g), and sex (m/f). Abdomen color and missing limbs were also recorded.
South Slough Reserve set 393 crab traps (243 Fukui, 150 crayfish) at 12 sites in Coos Bay from June through September of 2022. They captured 941 green, 413 Oregon shore, 407 Dungeness, and 129 red rock crabs. This includes data for all traps at all sites for all sampling dates from June thru September 2022.
Abundance among Coos Bay sites:
To better compare adult abundance over time, The reserve selected only the 10 sites sampled using Fukui traps during the summer months (May-August) (Table 1). The average CPUE was highly dependent on site. 5-spine crabs were found at all sites but were most common in the mid to upper estuary sites where adult Dungeness and red rock crabs were absent (Coos History Museum, Isthmus Slough, Joe Ney Slough). Red rock crabs were present only at sites lower in the estuary (Charleston Boat Basin, Empire Docks) and adult Dungeness crabs were most abundant at low and mid-estuary sites (Empire Docks, Valino Island, Charleston Boat Basin, Transpacific Lane).
Protect US Fishermen, an informal coalition of more than two dozen organizations concerned about the environmental and economic impacts of proposed offshore wind farms in the Pacific Ocean, launched a new website on Monday.
Visitors to protectUSfishermen.org will find details not only on the current push to place wind turbine farms off the coast of Oregon, but also learn about the sustainable seafood industry and its positive impacts on the economy and food security.
For those wishing to gain a broad understanding of the debate surrounding offshore wind, the site provides a comprehensive overview. Those wishing to take a “deep dive” into the issue can click on a variety of links to well-documented studies and positions from credible sources around the world.
Heather Mann, executive director of Midwater Trawlers Cooperative and a member of the coalition, is worried that many Oregonians are unaware of the harm that offshore development could bring and hopes the website will help raise awareness.
“In a state as environmentally conscious as Oregon, I find it disturbing that the administration and many legislators are either unaware or are simply ignoring the well-documented science about negative impacts to the marine environment from turbine farms,” Mann said. She listed the direct threat to the California Current ecosystem as one example of the grave concerns about which visitors to the site can read.
The website is the next step in a growing effort to share information that already includes a Facebook page, a YouTube channel, and live events. Billboards, digital advertising, and print media are part of the coalition’s September campaign in advance of the Oregon legislature evaluating the future of offshore wind energy in the coming months.
While there has been considerable focus in Oregon’s coastal communities on offshore wind development, the website is aimed at educating people in other regions of Oregon and throughout the West Coast.
“I’m not sure that people in the valley actually understand what is at stake here,” said Josh Whaley, a third generation fisherman from Brookings, Ore. “The environmental community has largely been silent on the very real risks to the marine environment including to endangered whales and seabirds, as well as the habitat that supports sustainable fisheries. As a fisherman, I care deeply about ocean health and
this effort toward educating Oregonians will hopefully lead to more informed decisions on how we transition to net zero emissions.”
Individuals who wish to get involved in the effort will find several options listed on the website, including contact information for elected officials, a petition urging the federal government to slow the rush toward offshore wind, and more.
Visitors to the site will also find a list of coalition members, including links to many of the organizations. A page dedicated to news and updates includes links to the resolutions passed by city, county, and tribal representatives up and down the Oregon coast who share concerns about the process currently utilized by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as it rushes forward with an aggressive offshore wind agenda.
To learn more about concerns with offshore wind farms, the impact of sustainable seafood on the nation’s food supply, and the positive impacts of fishing on coastal communities and the state of Oregon, visit www.protectUSfishermen.org.
Englund Marine, Hooked on Oregon, Chuck’s Seafood and Mel Campbell are proud to host State Representative David Brock Smith for a frank discussion about Off Shore Wind Energy on Thursday May 26, 2022 at 6 pm. The presentation will be held at the Charleston Marina RV Park Recreation Room located at 63402 Kingfisher Road. The proposed call areas (sites) encompass roughly over 1,800 square miles, which will be further reduced to leased areas for a BOEM planned 3 gigawatts of ocean-based wind farm (located off Coos Bay and Brookings) that is an integral part of the federal government’s plan for 30 gigawatts of ocean-based wind energy to be developed by 3030 around the United States. Oregonians have important questions about the project,
including, will it impact known fishing grounds, or impact magnetic navigation of both whales and salmon? Representative Brock Smith wants to hear from you on this important issue. He will
explain the States Planning Bill (HB 3375), where the project is progress-wise, how we can effectively comment and be involved, and how he is working to represent us on this issue. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided by the event sponsors. Local commercial and sport fishing families, Charleston merchants, and the greater Charleston/Coos Bay/North Bend and Bandon communities are invited to this important event. The presentation is free and open to any interested members of the public.
The Department of the Interior today announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will publish two separate Calls for Information and Nominations for possible leasing in areas that are determined to be suitable off the coast of Oregon and in the Central Atlantic.
BOEM Director Amanda Lefton made the announcement at the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum, where she outlined the Biden-Harris administration’s momentum to spur a clean energy future and create good-paying, union jobs deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. Over the past year, the Biden-Harris administration and the Interior Department have launched the American offshore wind industry by approving and celebrating the groundbreaking of the nation’s first two commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters. The Department also held a record-breaking New York Bight auction and announced plans to potentially hold up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting a robust clean energy economy, and the upcoming steps taken toward possible leasing off the coast of Oregon and Central Atlantic provides another opportunity to strengthen the clean energy industry while creating good-paying union jobs,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “We will continue using every tool in our toolbox to tackle the climate crisis, reduce our emissions to reach President Biden’s bold goals, and advance environmental justice.”
“The Calls for Information and Nominations for Oregon and the Central Atlantic provide an important avenue to solicit information as we identify potential areas that may be suitable for future offshore wind energy leasing,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton. “Today’s announcement reflects years of working with ocean users, Tribal governments, and local, state, and federal agencies as we drive toward achieving the ambitious goals of the Biden-Harris administration to fight climate change and create good paying jobs.”
Scheduled to publish in the Federal Register on April 29, each Call will initiate a separate comment period during which the public can submit relevant information on site conditions, marine resources, and ocean uses near or within the Call Areas. Concurrently, wind energy companies can nominate specific areas they would like to see offered for leasing.
These Calls come after robust engagement with stakeholder organizations, ocean users, federal agencies, states, Tribal governments and other parties to identify conflicts and engage early in the process as BOEM seeks to advance offshore wind in areas of least impact. This next step in the process allows BOEM to obtain information from and engage with ocean users and stakeholders as the bureau seeks to identify areas of least conflict for offshore leasing and wind energy development. This information will be used to significantly narrow the area to be considered for offshore wind development leasing as BOEM seeks to identify wind energy areas.
BOEM is seeking information on six distinct areas in the Central Atlantic comprising almost 3.9 million acres. The closest point to the shore of any of the areas is approximately 20 nautical miles off the Central Atlantic coast. Publication of the Call in the Federal Register will initiate a 60-day public comment period ending at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 28. Additional information on the Call, including a map of the areas and directions for commenting, can be found at BOEM’s Central Atlantic webpage.
The Oregon Call, the first action of its type off the Oregon coast, requests information on two areas that together comprise approximately 1,158,400 acres. Both areas – the Coos Bay Call Area and the Brookings Call Area – begin about 12 nautical miles from shore at their closest points, off the coast of central and southern Oregon, respectively. Publication of this Call will initiate a 60-day public comment period, which will end at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 28. For more information on the Call, including a map of the areas and instructions for commenting, see BOEM’s Oregon webpage.
BOEM will consider public comments and commercial nominations in response to the Calls to analyze potential use conflicts before designating specific wind energy areas (WEAs) within the respective Call Areas. BOEM will then conduct environmental reviews of the WEAs in consultation with the appropriate Federal agencies, Tribes, State and local governments, and other key stakeholders. After completing its environmental reviews and consultations, BOEM may propose one or more competitive lease sales for areas within the WEAs. There will be multiple opportunities for public input throughout this process.Read More
As state and federal officials make plans for offshore wind energy, local leaders in Coos County are inviting stakeholders and local residents to share opinions, concerns, and questions.
State Sen. Arnie Roblan will lead an informal roundtable discussion from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, in the Salmon Room at The Mill Casino-Hotel & RV Park. Everyone is welcome.
“We’re hoping to bring people together to exchange information and see how the community feels about this,” said Coos County Commissioner Melissa Cribbins, one of the event organizers. “We want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.”
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development are leading a data gathering and public engagement process, aiming to complete offshore wind planning for the Oregon Coast. Coos Bay, Bandon, and Brookings have been identified as “call areas” for consideration as potential wind energy sites.
The decision-making process includes consideration of diverse factors such as fish and shellfish habitat, whales, migratory birds, sea turtles, marine mammals, vessel traffic, fishing, and existing underwater cables.
The community roundtable is not an official part of the BOEM/DLCD process. Its goal is to promote local discussion and understanding of the process and the issues.
The event is sponsored by Coos County; the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians; the cities of Coos Bay, North Bend, and Ban-don; the Port of Bandon and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay; and state Reps. David Brock Smith and Boomer Wright.
For more information, contact Commissioner Cribbins at 541-396-7535.Read More