Using participatory modeling and citizen science to help blue crab fishermen in South Carolina identify ways to adapt to a changing climate

April 14, 2015

South Carolina Sea Grant

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Social and Environmental Research Institute, is working with blue crab fishermen in Beaufort County to determine what effect climate change, namely drought and increased stormwater runoff, has on the fishery. During the summer and fall of 2013, fishermen participated in Vulnerability and Consequences Adaptation Planning Scenarios workshops that helped identify components of the fishery most affected by a changing climate. Crabbers now plan to become involved in monitoring the fishery, including collecting basic environmental data, so that they can work with resources managers to better identify when and where changes occur. From this partnership and improved communication, fishermen, scientists, and managers can work together to develop adaptation strategies that allow them to continue to land a high quality product.

Images of Sea Grant's work in research, education and extension provided by (from left to right) Wisconsin, Guam and Florida Sea Grant programs. Design by Hallee Meltzer | National Sea Grant Office.

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