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South Carolina Blue Crab Regional Abundance Biotic Simulation |
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The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is an important resource in South Carolina for both commercial and recreational fishermen. |
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Welcome to the SC Blue Crab Project! |
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The South Carolina Blue Crab Project is a research collaboration between the SC SeaGrant College Program, the SC Department of Natural Resources and Clemson University. The purpose of our collaboration is to develop an interactive population model for blue crabs in the state of South Carolina. The SCBCRABS model follows the fate of individual crabs as they settle, grow, migrate, reproduce, and enter the fishery. As the individuals move from one habitat cell to the next, they encounter different water conditions (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen), predators, crab pots and even hungry adult crabs. The advantage of such a model is that anyone can compare the relative importance of each of these factors in controlling the size of our blue crab population. Our goal is develop a more realistic model of our blue crab population so we can anticipate how future changes in environmental conditions and fishery management influence the sustainability of this valuable resource. |
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105 Jordan Hall Department of Biological Sciences Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634-0314 |
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To contact us: |
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Phone: 864-656-6198 Cell: 864-985-2384 E-mail: mchildr@clemson.edu |
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How do changes in water quality, fishing pressure and disease interact to influence the abundance and distribution of blue crabs in SC? |
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SCBRABS Workshop - April 5th, 2007 |