Notes on an invasion

Habitat Conservation Biologist Derek Wilson will discuss the European green crab invasion along the coastlines of Oregon at Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center on Thursday, April 4.

European green crab are a non-native species that has rapidly colonized temperate coastlines at several locations around the world. Commonly known as the "green crab," they have swiftly become an aggressive invader with the potential to disrupt native shellfish communities, including crabs, clams and oysters.

Learn about the presence of the crab in Yaquina Bay, one of many bays in Oregon where populations have now become established.

Wilson has 20 years of resource management experience with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, all based in Newport. He was a fisheries biologist for 13 years, during which he assisted with the management of the freshwater fisheries by conducting specific research and monitoring projects and planning and implementing various restoration projects across the management district. For the past seven years, his focus has been on estuary health, resilience and restoration.

The talk, presented by the MidCoast Watersheds Council, begins at 6:30 pm at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, located at 333 SE Bay Blvd in Newport. For more information or a Zoom registration link, go to midcoastwatersheds.org.