Larval Dungeness crab arrival, abundance, and size in the Salish Sea, British Columbia

This data package contains datasets obtained from counting and measuring larval Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) caught with light traps at various locations across the Salish Sea in British Columbia, Canada. This work is an ongoing collaborative project between the Hakai Institute and numerous community and institutional partners within the Sentinels of Change project led by Hakai Institute. The purpose of this project is to investigate the magnitude and timing of Dungeness larval delivery in the Salish Sea.

Light traps were situated at 20 locations in the Canadian portion of the Salish Sea in the spring of 2022. Light traps were deployed from April 15th to September 1st 2022 (although some started slightly later in the spring). The traps operate on a timer which turns the light on during dark hours and is adjusted through the season. The traps are checked approximately every two days and Dungeness megalopae (final larval stage) are counted each time. The carapace widths of Dungeness megalopae are also measured each week. Initially, measurements were taken by hand using calipers, however this technique was switched starting July 15th 2022 to a photo technique which allows measurements to be taken later using software (ImageJ). This protocol and schedule will be followed in subsequent years until 2030.

This data package includes: -Dungeness megalopae count data from April 15th, 2022 until September 1st, 2022 -Dungeness megalopae size data (when applicable) from April 15th, 2022 until September 1st, 2022