A Maine Department of Marine Resources statewide study on the presence of invasive green crabs, which are thought to be responsible for depleting shellfish stocks in Maine, has given further credence to what Freeport clammers have known for months.

“This represents a historic day for all Maine fishermen,” said Freeport resident Chad Coffin, president of the Maine Clammers Association, during a press conference Wednesday at Winslow Park in South Freeport announcing the study.

The study was a coordinated effort involving 31 Maine towns from Ogunquit to Lubec to further understand the extent of the green crab invasion, which has decimated the stock of young clams. Volunteers in the individual towns set between five and 10 traps during a 24-hour period beginning Aug. 27 to collect the crabs to determine the full extent of the problem. It is an issue that has primarily plagued Casco Bay, according to Kohl Kanwit, director of public health for the Department of Marine Resources.

The results of the study will be released in the coming weeks.

Brian Beal, professor of marine ecology for the University of Maine, said the green crabs could be harvested, but how and to what extent was still undetermined.

In 2012, the Freeport Town Council earmarked $100,000 to study the clam flats and decide on a course of action. The town is believed to be the only Maine municipality to be spearheading such an effort. The separate Freeport study began in mid May and will end in November.

While the threat to clams is now being taken seriously, the effect on lobsters – a nearly $400 million industry in the state – could only be a matter of time.

“Lobster is also on the green crab menu, we’re finding that out,” said Coffin.

Brian Beal, University of Maine professor of marine ecology, holds a green crab on the clam flats of Winslow Park in South Freeport on Wednesday. Beal spoke at a news conference to highlight a Department of Marine Resources initiative to study the crab, which has been blamed for depleting the clam stocks in Casco Bay.

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