Warming temperatures have attracted blue crabs to the Gulf of Maine, and their aggressive nature is harmful to native bivalves that are essential to Maine fisheries.
Brandon Henry, a graduate student involved in Maine EPSCoR鈥檚 environmental DNA, or eDNA, initiative, is researching the novel emergence of blue crabs along the coast of Maine, specifically Casco Bay. To better understand their shift in location and behavior, Henry is investigating blue crabs鈥 diet, habitat preferences, reproduction and ability to survive Maine鈥檚 cold winters. Part of his research involves trying to detect their presence using eDNA collected from water samples, baited commercial grade lobster traps, trawl nets and telemetry devices.
鈥淭his project may offer a window into how other creatures may be shifting their ranges.鈥 Henry says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really great way of getting an early insight into what impacts climate change may have in the Gulf of Maine.鈥
Read more about Henry鈥檚 work on the Maine EPSCoR website.
