Dungeness Crab Monitoring Program: 2024 Summary

Nov 1, 2024 | Research Programs

Join us as we delve into the highlights and recap this season’s larval Dungeness crab monitoring efforts at Ch’axáy̓ / Horseshoe Bay.

This past summer marked the MSI’s 3rd year participating in the Hakai Institute Sentinels of Change initiative to monitor for larval Dungeness crabs in the Salish Sea. With our team of volunteers we monitored a light trap at Ch’ax̱áy̓ / Horseshoe Bay from April to August 2024.

Why is this research important?

Monitoring Dungeness crabs during their planktonic phase (when they are free-floating larvae) involves sampling just beneath the surface of the water using light traps. The larval stage of the crab is called “Megalopae”.
By sampling Dungeness megalopae throughout the Salish Sea, researchers can track recruitment and dispersal patterns. Analyzing these patterns can help to predict adult Dungeness populations, informing conservation and management practices.

Our light trap was located at Sewell’s Marina in Ch’axáy̓ / Horseshoe Bay. Our trap was just one of 29 throughout the Salish Sea partnered with the Hakai Institute and the Sentinels of Change initiative.

284,401 Dungeness larvae counted across the Salish Sea in 2024

The Hakai Institute leads a light trap network up and down B.C.’s coast. In 2024, there were 29 sites with a total catch of 284,401 larval Dungeness crabs throughout the entire season (April to August). Galiano Island saw the highest numbers this year; they caught 59,220 in a single day, and 129,933 over the entire season.

The MSI’s site in Horseshoe Bay caught a total of over 28,000 larval Dungeness crabs in 2024. 

Ch’ax̱áy̓ / Horseshoe Bay highlights:

None of this work would be possible without our amazing volunteers. From April until the end of August our dedicated volunteers were checking the light trap every two days, rain or shine. Some days we counted as many as 7000 megalopa! Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, united by a love of marine life and conservation. We had volunteers join us from West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Squamish, and metro Vancouver.

Total crabs counted: >28,000

Total light trap fishing days: 138

Total Volunteers: 19

Total Volunteer Hours: 120

We are grateful to Sewell’s Marina for hosting our trap and gear, the West Vancouver Foundation for supporting this program with a community grant, and of course the amazing team at Hakai/Sentinels of Change who manage the program and support the coordinators all season!

We will update this post with the official 2024 report from Hakai when it is published in December. 

Volunteer with us!

Stay informed about our latest findings and upcoming projects by subscribing to our newsletter. Your participation can make a significant difference in monitoring and protecting marine life.
Sign up
Learn more about the Larvel Dungeness crab monitoring program