Invasive green crabs pose a major threat to some of New Bedford’s most valuable fisheries. Green crabs were first introduced to Massachusetts ecosystems over 200 years ago and since then their populations have skyrocketed. Green crabs are voracious predators of local shellfish, including bay scallops, oysters, mussels,  and clams. The crabs also compete with native crustaceans and destroy vital eelgrass habitat while foraging for food: an ecosystem that’s vital for a wide variety of groundfish in the early life stages. However, green crabs also have a rich culinary history across their native range and are embedded in Portuguese, Italian, French, and Tunisian cuisine. Founded in 2020, local nonprofit GreenCrab.org has been building culinary markets for green crab, partnering with chefs, harvesters, and seafood companies across the US in a “Problem to Plate” approach. After connecting with GreenCrab.org, New Bedford food leader Rhonda Fazio started exploring how green crabs could be built into her free community event series “Seafood at Sunset”. 

Seafood at Sunset features tastings of free local seafood dishes created by Rhonda Fazio, pairing culinary education with celebration at sunset. This Sunday, the last Seafood at Sunset of the season at Play Arcade in downtown New Bedford includes a menu of green crab and corn chowder with clam cakes. Attendees will also have a chance to learn about green crabs and meet the invasive at GreenCrab.org’s touch tank. 

This final Seafood at Sunset of the season kicks off at 5 PM on September 27th and will wrap up by 8 PM. Rain or shine, the tasting will take place at PLAY Arcade on the rooftop or inside. 

Seafood at Sunset by Rhonda Fazio is funded in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

This event is free and open to the public.