For over two decades, the Loon Foundation, formerly the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society, has been dedicated to connecting people with nature and promoting the responsible care of our coastlines and aquatic ecosystems. The foundation’s work spans youth education, community science programs, and, most recently, the creation of the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS), its most ambitious project to date.
One of the Loon Foundation’s core initiatives is the Pender Harbour Coastal Waters Monitoring Program, which tracks the health of local marine environments. A key focus of this work is the monitoring and early detection of the European green crab (Carcinus maenas), one of the most damaging invasive species in the world.
First identified on the Sunshine Coast in 2019, the European green crab (EGC) is an aggressive predator. It consumes native marine life, disrupts shorelines, and destroys important habitats such as eelgrass beds that are critical for young salmon and other culturally and economically valuable species. Since its discovery on the Coast, a collaborative effort has taken shape involving First Nations, including the shíshálh and Tla’amin, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project, and the Loon Foundation.
How Sunshine Coast residents can help
Your eyes on the water make a difference. Here’s what to look for and what to do:
• Identification –– EGCs have five spines on each side of their eyes. Despite its name, they are not always green, and they may also appear yellow, red, or have blue claws.
• Don’t release them –– If you catch one, don’t put it back in the water, as identifying the crab is key.
• Report it –– Take a photo and record the exact location of your sighting. Report any suspects to Fisheries Canada Invasive Species at [email protected]; the Loon Foundation at [email protected]; and if you are an iNaturalist member, log your observation to help scientists track the spread of EGCs.
If you would like to get involved with future monitoring efforts, contact the Loon Foundation. Together, we can protect the Sunshine Coast.
