2010 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 Posted in Fishing News | No Comments »

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is seeking volunteers to assist with the annual baywide horseshoe crab spawning survey in May and June on Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, Kitts Hummock and North Bowers beaches. Since 1990, surveys have been conducted of horseshoe crabs spawning in Delaware Bay. Despite the horseshoe crab’s importance to the ecology of the Bay, little is known about its population status. The data collected by volunteers during these surveys is key for scientists to monitor changes in numbers of spawning crabs in the Bay. Now, every spring on several peak spawning days, volunteers donate their time to count crabs on key beaches in Delaware and in New Jersey. Delaware’s well-trained and enthusiastic volunteers have made this program one of the most successful volunteer-based ... Read more..