Help us find mud crabs so that we can learn more about how an introduced parasite (Loxothylacus panopaei or Loxo for short) is affecting them. Loxo is a parasitic barnacle that takes over the nervous system of affected mud crabs and makes the crab care for the parasite and the parasite's larvae.

Loxo is native to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean and was first discovered in Chesapeake Bay in 1964. The parasite is now common in the Bay, but its abundance and spread vary greatly from year to year. Scientists in SERC's Marine Invasions Lab have been tracking the abundance of Loxo from sites around Chesapeake Bay since 2003 (watch a short video that features the project’s scientists).

Where?

Please note that transportation to Oxford and Broomes Island will not be provided.

For those who register, you will receive additional details (including directions, what to wear, what to bring, and a safety overview) in an email two days before the event.

Time?

The sampling time varies by day depending on how many traps the team is planning on processing.

The end time varies and is the maximum time a session will last. We may end earlier depending weather conditions and on the number of crabs in the collectors.

Who can participate?

We welcome volunteers age 14+, although all volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult.

Volunteers younger than 14 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. All volunteers (including accompanying adults) must be included in the sign up.

No prior experience is expected or required. The project researchers will provide training day-of and will be there to answer all your questions.