First-of-Its-Kind Green Crab Summit: Collaborative, Regional Approach to Intensifying Threat
October 27, 2025October 27, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Margiotta, Director of Communications, Office of Senator Tarr, Cell: 978-675-6109, jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
First-of-Its-Kind Green Crab Summit: Collaborative, Regional Approach to Intensifying Threat
Summit Held TODAY October 24th at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School
Boston (10/24/2025) – Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), in collaboration with the Green Crab Task Force, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, and Governor’s Academy, will host a regional Green Crab Summit TODAY, Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School located in Danvers.
Green crabs continue to pose a serious threat to Massachusetts’ softshell clam industry, marine ecosystem, and marshes, despite significant efforts to combat that threat by the state, coastal communities, scientists, and fishery participants.
This forum will convene state and local officials, representatives from environmental organizations, scientists, educators, students and others from the United States and Canada, bringing together a wide spectrum of expertise and experience for a unique opportunity to share information about efforts to confront the menace of the green crab, and explore best practices and options to intensify and unify previously fragmented efforts.
Space is limited.
Please RSVP ASAP at the following registration link: https://forms.gle/Zni2LL2tAMBc22JX9
Event Details:
WHAT: Regional Green Crab Summit
WHEN: Friday, October 24, 2024, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
WHERE: Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School
565 Maple St, Danvers, MA 01923
EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS:
State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – Gloucester)
State Representative Kristin Kassner (D-Hamilton)
State Representative Hannah Bowen (D-Beverly)
Representative from the Office of U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton, Regional Director Tom Arsenault
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Senior Implementation Advisor Amy Greenwood
Office of the Canadian Consul General Bernadette Jordan, Senior Political Affairs & Media Relations Officer, Lisa Carrier
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School Educators & Students
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Coastal Resource Planner Peter Phippen
Governor’s Academy Educators & Students
Keynote Speaker, Research Scientist, Aquatic Invasive Species Division, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Green Crab Management Program Lead, Dr. Brian Turner
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) Officials
Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Regional Shellfish Supervisor Wayne Castonguay
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association Executive Director Beth Cassoni
Great Marsh Project Coastal Project Design and Implementation, Invasive Species Coastal Coordinator Peter Phippen
University of New Hampshire Commercial Marine Fisheries Specialist Gabriela Brandt
Founder of Great Marsh Shellfish Co. Brenden Doyle
Greencrab.Org Executive Director Mary Parks
Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fertilizer Sales Director Anne Molloy
Kykloris Co-Founder & CEO Hande Ilhan
World Wildlife Fund Sustainable Feed Innovations Lead Specialist Ellen Dierenfeld
Additional Background Information
The European Green Crab, carcinus maenas, is considered one of the most detrimental invasive species in the world. In New England, it is a leading predator of shellfish and causes a myriad of negative impacts to coastal ecosystems. Although it has been invading the waters off the coast of Massachusetts and New England since the 1800s, there is strong evidence that its population has increased dramatically and so rapidly in recent years that it is now threatening marine wildlife, including fisheries that are harvested by local fishermen. If left unchecked, the devastating path created by the green crab population will not only have a lasting effect on oceanic life, but also on local economies. Additionally, it is thought to be a leading cause of the steep decline in the highly valuable soft shell clam fishery in the Gulf of Maine, negatively impacting the livelihood of thousands of families.
###
Additional Resources:
Aquatic Invasive Species Division, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Green Crab Management Program
European Green Crab Hub
2025-2031 European Green Grab Management Plan
Division of Marine Fishers (DMF)
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Consul General of Canada in Boston, United States
Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School
The Governor’s Academy
###
Thank you,
Jessica
Jessica Margiotta
Director of Communications
Office of the Senate Minority Leader | State Senator Bruce E. Tarr
Massachusetts State House, Room 308 | Boston, MA 02133
Office: 617-722-1600, ext. 1603| Cell: 978-675-6109
Email: jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
