Dr. Rick Cawthorn, of the AVC Lobster Science Centre and Professor of Parasitology, delivered a presentation on the implications for the snow crab fishery in Atlantic Canada titled “Is Your Snow Crab Bitter?” at UPEI's most recent Research Breakfast.

Dr. Cawthorn is leading an international team of researchers in a project to better understand Bitter Crab Disease and the parasite that causes the disease. “Snow crab is the second biggest fishery in Atlantic Canada,” explains Dr. Cawthorn. “In this study, we are not looking at the source of the taste. What we’re looking at are questions such as how common is this parasite in Atlantic Canada? How is the parasite transmitted from crab to crab? How does it cause the disease?”