Harvest of horseshoe crabs, used for medicine and bait, to be limited to protect rare bird

Interstate fishing authorities are implementing restrictions on the harvesting of horseshoe crabs, a vital species for both medical and fishing purposes, to bolster its dwindling numbers and support a rare bird species.

The collection of horseshoe crabs, primarily along the East Coast, serves dual purposes: as bait in fishing and in the biomedical sector. However, a decline in their numbers in certain areas is concerning, particularly due to their role as a key food source for the red knot, a migratory bird classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

To aid in the conservation effort, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has decided to prohibit the collection of female horseshoe crabs from the Delaware Bay for the 2024 fishing season. This bay is crucial for the survival of the species and is a significant harvesting location, especially in New England.

John Clark, the head of the Atlantic States horseshoe crab management board, noted a positive trend in the crab population over the past 20 years in the Delaware Bay. Nonetheless, he emphasized the importance of discontinuing the female crab harvest for the upcoming season to support the red knot bird, which depends on crab eggs during its extensive migration.

“Given the ongoing public concern about the red knot’s population in the Delaware Bay, the board has opted for a zero harvest policy for female horseshoe crabs in 2024 as a cautious approach,” Clark stated.

The board plans to compensate for the reduced female crab harvest by increasing the allowable catch of male horseshoe crabs in the mid-Atlantic region.

Horseshoe crabs are not only used as bait for eels and whelks but their unique blue blood is crucial in the pharmaceutical industry for detecting harmful contaminants in drugs and medical devices. These crabs, which have inhabited the ocean for over 400 million years, are harvested from Maine to Florida.

Environmental organizations have been advocating for stronger protection measures for horseshoe crabs in recent times. One significant achievement was the U.S. government’s decision in August to halt the harvesting of this species in South Carolina’s Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge during their spawning season.

Ben Prater, a director at Defenders of Wildlife, highlighted the significance of this decision for migratory shorebirds reliant on horseshoe crab eggs for their extensive migrations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Horseshoe Crab Conservation

More about Horseshoe Crab Conservation

• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
• Endangered Species Act Information
• Horseshoe Crab Conservation Efforts
• Red Knot Bird Migration and Conservation
• Biomedical Uses of Horseshoe Crab Blood
• Sustainable Fishing Practices
• Impact of Horseshoe Crabs on Ecosystems
• Wildlife Protection Organizations