States React to Declining Horseshoe Crab Population

Environmental News Service ^ | 04/30/2003

[cogitator]

States React to Declining Horseshoe Crab Population

TRENTON, New Jersey, April 30, 2003 (ENS) - New Jersey's chief environmental official signed an emergency order today that curtails the state's horseshoe crab harvest, following similar measures taken Friday by Delaware state officials.

The states are reacting to declines in the horseshoe crab population and migrating shorebirds, which stop over each spring on Delaware Bay beaches to feed on the fat rich eggs of the horseshoe crab.

"Sudden and dramatic declines in horseshoe crab and shorebird populations make clear that prompt action is needed to protect these resources," said New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell. "I am grateful to Delaware Secretary John Hughes for joining us in a common sense, bistate approach."

The emergency order signed today by Campbell halves the state's annual horseshoe crab harvest and prohibits all harvesting during the horseshoe crabs' prime spawning season from May 1 through June 7.

The commercial harvest is now set at 150,000 crabs. The order also requires the use of bait saving devices in conch pots, as horseshoe crabs are harvested primarily as bait for the conch fishery.

The concentration of horseshoe crab eggs on the bay shore has declined has declined significantly over the past decade, leaving many shorebirds without enough eggs to eat. According to New Jersey officials, the migrating shorebird species most in peril is the Western Hemisphere's Red Knot, a state-threatened species that scientists predict could be extinct within seven years.

"We need to bear in mind that our shorebird and horseshoe crab populations are indicators of the health of the bay as a whole," Campbell said. "By acting today, we aim not only to prevent the dire future predicted for the Red Knot, but also to preserve the ecological balance throughout Delaware Bay."

[cogitator]

It would be a REAL shame if the eastern migratory pathway for shorebirds disappeared. It's one of the most amazing "rendesvous" in nature: the birds arrive at the same time that the horseshoe crabs spawn on the beach. I've always wanted to see it; I hope I still will get the chance.

Spawning horseshoe crabs

Shorebird Crisis: The Horseshoe Crabs of Delaware Bay

STUDY REVEALS SHOREBIRD VIEWING DELIVERS HUGE ECONOMIC BENEFIT (to NJ)

Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Plan for the Delaware Bay

[RightWhale]

Good, they are used as bait. Had a momentary gastric revolt at the thought of using these as food. Spiders aren't on many food shopping lists.

[1stFreedom]

>>The order also requires the use of bait saving devices in conch pots, as horseshoe crabs are harvested primarily as bait for the conch fishery.

My first reaction was "people eat those things? Yuk!!"

Then I read they use the crabs for bait.

[MineralMan]

"Good, they are used as bait. Had a momentary gastric revolt at the thought of using these as food. Spiders aren't on many food shopping lists."

They're not spiders. However, lots of folks enjoy other crabs as food, and they do have the same number of legs as a spider. Yummie.

[Publius]

They aren't true crabs (crustaceans) either. Their nearest living relatives are spiders and scorpions. Their nearest extinct relatives are trilobites.

[MineralMan]

"They aren't true crabs (crustaceans) either. Their nearest living relatives are spiders and scorpions. Their nearest extinct relatives are trilobites.
"

Thanks. I did know that, and find horseshoe crabs really fascinating. They're a real throwback critter. I wish we had them on the Pacific coast.

[NYFriend]

I'd try one. I wonder if there is much meat under those shells.

[familyofman]

The photo shown of the horseshoe crabs was more than likely taken on a beach in Cape May named for my family. The land used to be owned by my GGG uncle, and now is one of the finest birding areas in the world.

[MineralMan]

"I'd try one. I wonder if there is much meat under those shells."

I don't think so. I've never heard of anyone eating the things, but I'll be someone's tried. Probably taste crappy.

[all4one]

The horseshoe crabs also have blue blood and they are used by medical research companies. Many people who get caught illegally poaching the horseshoe crabs are selling them to research companies. Highly profitable.

[boop]

Couldn't be much. I saw them on the eastern shore of MD. When you turn them over they do look like spiders. Creepy looking, but the ranger told us they totally harmless.

[all4one]

HORSESHOE CRABS have metallic-blue blood which can be used in a process to detect bacterial toxins that can contaminate drugs and medical equipment. The horseshoe crab is also used for vision studies because its complex eye structure is similar to the human eye.

[cogitator]

HORSESHOE CRABS have metallic-blue blood which can be used in a process to detect bacterial toxins that can contaminate drugs and medical equipment. The horseshoe crab is also used for vision studies because its complex eye structure is similar to the human eye.

Two excellent reasons not to use them for bait; the third would be the benefit to the thousands of shorebirds that feast on their eggs. Hopefully the catch restrictions will help foster a substantial increase in horseshoe crab numbers.

[cruiserman]

I hate those damn things. Used to freak me out stepping on them at Ocean City, MD.

[1stFreedom]

I'll overnight you some live ones!

LOL.

I see them all the time out here on the beaches in NY.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[John H K]

The only other place that has them is Japan and I believe they're nearly extinct there.

Yep, they're totally inedible. But now the big commericial fishery in Delaware Bay is Conchs, of all things (largely sold overseas). The Conch pots are everywhere and now they're dragging the bottom for them, ruining good fishing areas. And horshoes were cheap bait for them.

I do some pier fishing and the horeshoes are really a pain in May when they come in to mate....you'll snag 2-3 of them linked together at a time, will weigh 20 lbs.

I hate it when people leave them on the pier to die, though...I always try to run over and knock them back in the water. You don't kill things for no reason.

[expatpat]

This is news to me. Until recently, we had a home at Lewes where the ocean meets the Delaware Bay, and the Horshoe crabs were a menace -- hundreds of them on a fairly small stretch of beach, dying after spawning, and stinking the place up.

[cogitator]

This is news to me. Until recently, we had a home at Lewes where the ocean meets the Delaware Bay, and the Horshoe crabs were a menace -- hundreds of them on a fairly small stretch of beach, dying after spawning, and stinking the place up.

Based on the population surveys, it would seem that there are considerably less of them to raise a stink (not that just a few of them wouldn't be odiferous on a warm day).

[Rudder]

...its complex eye structure is similar to the human eye.

Not really similar at all. Hoseshoe crabs have eyes divided into many ommatidiae, six-sided compartments. Known as compound eyes, they are common for insects.

The advantage for researchers is that they, ommatidiae, are easy to work with in the study of the chemistry and electrical aspects of vision.