Collecting: Only European green crabs (Carcinus maenas) will be eligible for this derby. Native crab species are not to be collected. Please review our crab identification guide to insure you are collecting the correct species.

Green crabs may be collected in the following 3 ways:

1) With hand nets while wading in the water

2) With hand nets OR by hand while snorkeling

3) With bait & line off a dock, bridge, or boat (we recommend chicken drumsticks as bait)

As per our permit, green crabs may ONLY be collected using the above methods. Commercial equipment (traps, seine net, dredge, etc.) are not permitted.

All crabs collected using the approved methods between 12:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Friday August 11th are eligible to submit for prizes.

Counting: All eligible crabs must be delivered to the Maria Mitchell Aquarium between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Friday August 11th to be submitted for prizes. In the interest of fairness, crabs submitted after 4:00 PM are not eligible for prizes - please take into consideration travel time with traffic when planning your afternoon.

When you arrive with your crabs, we will measure the gross weight of your green crabs, collect a crab of your choosing to be submitted for the "largest crab" prize, and collect a crab of your choosing to be submitted for the "best dressed crab" prize.

Prizes: There are 4 chances to win prizes for the derby!

1) The "Grand Prize" will be given to the team who collected the most green crabs by weight.

- Maria Mitchell Association Family Membership

- 1 copy of the Green Crab Cookbook

- $20 credit at the MMA Aquarium Gift Shop

2) The "Largest Crab Prize" will be given to the team that collected the heaviest individual green crab.

- 1 copy of the Green Crab Cookbook

- $10 credit at the MMA Aquarium Gift Shop

- 4 All-MMA Properties Passes (Admission to the MMA Aquarium, MMA Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, and Stargazing Open Night at Loines Observatory)

3) The "Best Dressed Crab Prize" will be given to the team with the crab that has our favorite combination of natural "decorations" on its shell. Please do not attach any items, natural or otherwise, to the shells of the crabs. We are judging naturally acquired shell embellishments only.

- 1 copy of the Green Crab Cookbook

- $10 credit at the MMA Aquarium Gift Shop

- 4 All-MMA Properties Passes (Admission to the MMA Aquarium, MMA Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, and Stargazing Open Night at Loines Observatory)

- Your crab will be displayed in the "Human Impacts" tank at the Maria Mitchell Aquarium

4) The "Lucky Crabbers Prize" will be given to a randomly selected derby team that did not win any of the above prizes.

- 1 copy of the Green Crab Cookbook

- $10 credit at the MMA Aquarium Gift Shop

- 4 All-MMA Properties Passes (Admission to the MMA Aquarium, MMA Natural Science Museum, Historic Mitchell House, and Stargazing Open Night at Loines Observatory)

All prizes will be announced on Wednesday August 16th. Winners will be contacted via the phone number/email provided on the registration. 

Cost Per Team: $10, groups of up to 4 persons can compete.

Contact email: cnorman@mariamitchell.org

Cancellation and Refund Policy: We understand that plans change!  Because we are a small non-profit that benefits from the contributions made by our generous patrons and supporters, cancellations make it more challenging for us to manage program enrollment. Tickets are non-refundable, should you choose to cancel. However, tickets are eligible for an exchange before the date and time of the scheduled program subject to a $5 rescheduling service fee, per reservation, and program availability. If you wish to reschedule, please contact us at info@mariamitchell.org.

This registration fee is non-refundable as it covers the cost of running the derby and the prizes awarded. Thank you for understanding.

All offerings are subject to cancellation by the MMA at any time, with or without notice for reasons deemed necessary by the organization. In the event of a cancellation by us, we will make every effort to provide a ticket exchange at an amenable date and time to both parties and if we cannot, we will refund the purchase and credit the original payment method.