Our Projects

Invasive Green Crab Management

Green Crabs are an invasive species that are threatening the natural resources of Great Marsh, particularly soft shell clams, mussels, and eelgrass meadows. The partnership has been monitoring twenty-four permanent stations in Plum Island Sound and Essex Bay to assess green crab abundance and to inform management strategies.
The Partnership is creating new, high-end culinary and fertilizer commercial markets for the ultimate removal of invasive green crabs to help restore the ecological balance in the Great Marsh. This effort will generate a new source of revenue for commercial trappers and seafood wholesalers through market-driven incentives, while ridding the waters of a destructive, invasive threat.

Green Crabs are an invasive species that are threatening the natural resources of Great Marsh, particularly soft shell clams, mussels, and eelgrass meadows. The partnership has been monitoring twenty-four permanent stations in Plum Island Sound and Essex Bay to assess green crab abundance and to inform management strategies.
The Partnership is creating new, high-end culinary and fertilizer commercial markets for the ultimate removal of invasive green crabs to help restore the ecological balance in the Great Marsh. This effort will generate a new source of revenue for commercial trappers and seafood wholesalers through market-driven incentives, while ridding the waters of a destructive, invasive threat.

Planting eelgrass on Cambridge Beach in Gloucester, MA

Planting eelgrass in Rowley, MA

Over the last three years, Great Marsh Partnership has successfully introduced 1.5 acres of eelgrass into Essex Bay using community volunteers.

Protection and restoration of the Great Marsh is made possible with support from our local communities.

Sustaining the longevity and viability of our work in The Great Marsh would not be possible without the support of local, state, and national community partners. If you’d like to volunteer or become a sustaining member, you can support us using the link below.