Monday, April 1, 2019
Massachusetts Coastal Caucus of Legislators
A very engaging meeting today at the State House with the
Massachusetts Coastal Caucus of Legislators. In addition to an in depth
discussion on the invasive species known as green crabs, we also tasted
a sample of them.
A presentation by Mary Parks, Executive
Director of Green Crab R and D, included information about the
marketability of green crab as a source of protein and as a flavor
enhancer in other seafood items. Due to a unique
amino acid profile the green crab has the potential to become a
lucrative soft-shell product. In Venice, Italy, cooks have been serving
them for a hundred years. Here in the US, until only recently, the
crab has been more likely to be added to the compost pile.
We also learned from Peter Phippen, the coordinator for Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program, about new research development in the Great Marsh. This marsh, the largest in New England, is comprised of 20,000-30,000 acres of saltwater marsh, mudflats, islands, sandy beaches, dunes, and rivers.
Peter has been advancing research into thin-layer application of dredged material as a way of means of minimizing negative impacts on marshes.
