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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 01 20 NPC MRC First DRAFT Meeting Summary NPC MRC 1/20/2026 DRAFT Meeting Summary 1 January 20, 2026 NPC MRC Draft Meeting Summary The Tuesday, January 20, 2026 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Peninsula College campus in Forks, Washington and by Zoom connection from 4:00 PM to 5:37 PM. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Maggie Bockart (Hoh Tribe Representative), Chris Butler-Minor (Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary [OCNMS], ex officio), Wendy Feltham (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County – Scientific Community), Rod Fleck (City of Forks), John Hunter (Citizen Representative, Clallam County - Conservation / Environmental Groups), Ian Miller (Washington Sea Grant, ex officio), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Representative and NPC MRC Coordinator), Alice Ryan (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Recreational Groups), and Jill Silver (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County– Conservation/Environmental Groups). A quorum was present at the beginning of the meeting. Guleed Ali (Stonybrook University), Liz Allyn (Coast Salmon Partnership), Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting), Dawson Little (Makah Tribe), Nancy Messmer (citizen), Roy Morris (citizen), and Chase O’Neil (Clallam County) were also in attendance. Introductions Public Comments Tami Pokorny expressed her gratitude to Chase O’Neil for filling in as NPC MRC Coordinator. Ian Miller announced a report from Steve Fradkin with Olympic National Park about the dramatic erosion of the bluffs at Kalaloch. There are only two cabins left on the bluff and the Park is going to have to do some serious work on the access points. Jill Silver noted that the parking lot for Rialto Beach was full on Sunday, indicating a high volume of tourists for winter on the Peninsula. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus with no changes. Approval of the November NPC MRC Summary The November NPC MRC Summary was approved by consensus as written. Announcements There were no announcements. Old Business There was no old business. New Business Makah Tribe European Green Crab Trapping Program NPC MRC 1/20/2026 DRAFT Meeting Summary 2 Green Crab Biologist with Makah Tribe Fisheries Management, Dawson Little, presented on European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) on the Makah Reservation. The program and situation has changed over the years since the NPC MRC first helped fund the Makah Tribe’s trapping program. European green crab are native to western Europe and northern Africa. They have few natural predators, reproduce quickly, tolerate a wide range of conditions, and compete with other species, making them a globally invasive species of concern, which prompted a Washington State of Emergency response in 2022. They are associated with the degradation of native species and habitat. European green crab are now very established on the West Coast of the United States and have even established in Alaska. Over time they have become a big concern for the entire world. The life history of European green crab follows three distinct phases: 1: Zoea (microscopic, free swimming like plankton, and very hard to control); 2: Megalopa (slightly larger, bottom dwelling, but still hard to control); and 3: Adult (bottom dwelling, and much easier to trap). Dawson explained the crab’s range of expansion as an introduced species on the West Coast of North America. They were first introduced in San Francisco in 1989, and arrived in Washington by 1998, but only really started taking off about ten years ago. On the Makah Reservation, there are three main estuaries where the trapping work is being done: in Neah Bay, and the Tsoo-Yess River and Wa’atch River Estuaries in Makah Bay. There are other areas where it is likely European green crab are also, but the Tribe has limited capacity for searching for them. The Tribal Goals and Management Strategies include ensuring that members of the Tribe can continue to utilize and access treaty resources for generations, and enhancing the Tribe’s ability to anticipate, respond, and adapt to changes in the marine ecosystem. This is approached through management and removal, monitoring and assessment, and conducting research studies. Dawson showed a yearly comparison of European green crab catch by year on the Makah Reservation: In 2017, they caught 34 crabs; in 2018, they caught 1,056; in 2019, they caught 1,441; in 2020, they caught 1,060; in 2021, they caught 1,471; in 2022, they caught 25,093; in 2023, they caught 9,422; in 2024, they caught 7,834; and in 2025, they caught 9,020 crabs. Next, Dawson displayed a graph showing the carapace width plotted over time from 2021 to 2023, revealing a general growth in the population over time, with a second event later in the year; in other words, there were two temporal events showing one and up to two cohorts. The Makah Tribe has discovered three trap types to be the most effective: the one-inch shrimp trap, the one- half-by-one-half-inch shrimp trap, and the minnow trap. The traps are effective for different sizes of crabs. They found that by only trapping the larger crabs, the crabs started reproducing at an earlier age. The only method found to be effective for smaller sizes is hand trapping. The Tribe conducted a Mark Resight Study, tagging over 300 crabs on 9/6/23 (the tags are retained through a molt), and recording when and where the crabs were resighted. They recorded resights of over 100 individuals: some being sighted four to six times up to two years later. The study provided information about how European green crab move and molt. They found that crabs in side channels are more sedentary, and crabs in the main channel move farther and faster. They follow a similar pattern of moving up the river as the season progresses, and then back down later in the season, but at least one crab was resighted about three kilometers distance upriver only two weeks after tagging. The team has learned that the crabs move a lot more than was previously thought. Jill Silver asked whether they moved with the tide. Dawson explained that they often do move with the tide, but not always; sometimes they hide beneath rocks. There are also seasonal changes resulting in temperature and salinity impacts: in the summer when the estuaries are warmer and saltier, the crabs move up the river; they go back out into the bay as winter approaches. Now the trapping team keeps traps out all year; the crabs are still trapped over the winter, but not as many of them. Rod Fleck asked how many people were needed for all the traps. Dawson acknowledged that that is a limiting factor, and many organizations do not have the capacity to hand trap. Wendy Feltham asked how the Fukui trap used in her work with the Washington Sea Grant European green crab team might be similar to the shrimp traps the Makah Tribe used. Dawson clarified that the Fukui traps are a good substitute for shrimp traps, but shrimp traps will just catch more. The Tribe is also experimenting with different traps to try to reduce NPC MRC 1/20/2026 DRAFT Meeting Summary 3 mortality of native species; some traps and strategies are better at reducing that mortality. Ian Miller asked about the crab’s movement into rockier habitats. Dawson said that the ideal habitat type for European green crab has been a big question, but the answer is really that they are extremely adaptable. While rockier areas may be where they are spreading due to population increase, Dawson thought the crabs may have already been there, but unnoticed. Ian wondered how the crab could be controlled in those areas compared to more marshy areas. Dawson noted that the rockier areas are not as safe for people to access; the estuary areas are more of a concern, but the crabs are equally likely to establish themselves in the rocky areas. Tami Pokorny asked if there were any downsides to hand capturing. Dawson said that sometimes it was easier to do hand capture, because it works for a wide range of size classes, but it is very time and labor intensive. Dawson discussed using Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) to study interactions between European green crab and Dungeness crab. A main concern with European green crab is their impact on species of importance, a key species of concern being Dungeness crab. Using BRUV to record a variety of interactions with a focus on antagonistic interactions between European green crab and Dungeness crab, they found examples of antagonistic interactions by both species. The analysis showed that it went both ways, with no particular trend of European green crab dominating over Dungeness crab. The Dungeness crab held their own in interactions. However, size definitely came into play. The two crabs have different growth rates, with European green crab growing at a quicker rate. Dawson concluded with ways to help. By far, the best way to help with the European green crab problem is to know how to identify them, as misidentification is a big problem. They have five spines on the outside of each eye and are up to four inches wide. Native crabs have two to three, or ten to 12 spines. European green crab are also wedge shaped, with a map of the Olympic Peninsula on their backs. To report a sighting, visit Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s page. For volunteer efforts, see the Washington Sea Grant Molt Search or Makah Tribe’s volunteer program. The main trapping season is from March to October, but most crabs are caught between May and August. Dawson recommended coming for a few days to get the most out of volunteer experience; free camping is available at Hobuck Beach Resort for volunteers. Other volunteers of note include Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife conservation dogs, who have been trained to sniff out European green crab. They have limitations when the crabs are submerged but can be useful for locating them in certain situations. There is also potential for student participation. Dawson can be reached at dawson.little@makah.com. Participant Round Robin: Outreach, Food Security, Additional Priorities Tami Pokorny opened the meeting up for suggestions for how the NPC MRC could contribute to other outreach efforts, food security, or additional priorities. Roy Morris noted that there was a high cost for white mice, which are used for shellfish toxin testing. He suggested involving students in raising mice for science projects. Chris Butler-Minor pointed out that large marine debris removal could support clam harvest because it removes materials that leach heavy metals. Roy also mentioned ongoing microplastics research. The group discussed planning a party, European green crab recipe competitions, European green crab whiskey, and adding planning for the next Rivers and Ocean Festival to upcoming agendas. Updates Coast MRC Update Chris Waldbillig was not present for an update. Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The last meeting was held on 12/3/25; it was a hybrid meeting with the in-person meeting in Grays Harbor. The council has been addressing economic resiliency and the reappointment of council seats. The next meeting is scheduled for March. The agenda and other WCMAC meeting materials can be found on the Ecology website. NPC MRC 1/20/2026 DRAFT Meeting Summary 4 Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Chris Butler-Minor gave an update. The next meeting is still to be determined. Meetings have been moved to the third Thursday of the month every other month. The Council is making additional organizational changes. West Coast Ocean Alliance Jennifer Hagen was not present for an update. Invasive European Green Crab This item was addressed with Dawson Little’s presentation. Marine Debris Chris Butler-Minor announced the Washington Coast Cleanup, scheduled for 4/25/26. It is being coordinated by Washington CoastSavers. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related There was nothing new to report. Administrative Update Tami Pokorny said she was working with Stonybrook University on Guleed Ali’s contract; there were some issues with getting an intern. The other contracts are in process; the tricky part has been student safety and liability, as student involvement is a large part of most of the projects. Jill Silver announced that Elizabeth Davis got a position at the University of Washington to expand her project and is also sorting out how to work with students. Tami added that Chase O’Neal would officially be Co-Coordinator for the NPC MRC soon. Next Agenda (February 17, 2026): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held on 2/17/26. It will include discussion on the Rivers and Ocean Festival, and perhaps a briefing from Ian Miller on the Tsunami Hazards and Risks Presentation from the Port of Port Angeles and Washington Emergency Management Division. Public Comments/General There were no public comments. Adjourn at 5:37 PM