Delaware Sea Grant Crab Pot Jamboree set Aug. 7 at UD Lewes

To celebrate and educate the public about blue crabs, Delaware Sea Grant will host a Crab Pot Jamboree from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7, on the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.

Activities will include lessons about the biology of blue crabs, an important part of the First State’s ecosystem and culture. Attendees can learn about the science behind side-scan sonar and its use for locating and recovering derelict or lost crab pots, as well as responsible recreational crabbing and the impacts of abandoned and lost crab pots. Participants also will have a chance to refurbish their recreational crab pots to help ensure they meet current regulations and best practices.

Joanna York, Delaware Sea Grant director, said the main goal of the workshop is to provide information to crabbers about best practices for rigging and maintaining crab pots.

“Importantly, this helps to reduce marine debris in the form of abandoned crab pots in our recreational waterways,” said York. “We will also be showcasing our partnerships in the community, which have been integral to achieving our goals, and we'll have lots of information about crab populations and other fun facts. We look forward to welcoming the public to this event.”

Local and national dignitaries on hand will include Jainey Bavishi, U.S. Department of Commerce assistant secretary, and deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Jonathan Pennock, National Sea Grant College Program director and an alumus of UD’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment; and Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown.

Information will be provided on current research being conducted at the UD Lewes campus. Volunteer opportunities will be available for those interested in assisting with derelict crab pot removal events. The UDairy Creamery’s Moo Mobile, a full-sized ice cream truck, will also be on site.

Brittany Haywood, a Delaware Sea Grant coastal ecology specialist, said according to the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays’ State of the Bays report, blue crabs populations in Delaware are stable. However, that doesn’t mean Delawareans shouldn’t remain vigilant about how to protect such an important species.

“They are a big fishery in Delaware as a whole, and a lot of our habitats serve as nurseries for blue crabs,” said Haywood. “We are hoping participants learn more about the blue crab fishery and how to sustainably continue to fish for blue crabs in a way that allows them to continue to thrive in the future. We want to ensure a sustainable fishery and protect the habitats from marine debris.”

For more information, email haywoobl@udel.edu or go to deseagrant.org.