Forwarded to MDOsprey from Dave Wilson, Outreach Coordinator,
Maryland Coastal Bays
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Wilson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 2:25 PM
>
> Subject: Coastal bays volunteers needed to count mating
> horseshoe crabs
>
>
> CONTACT: CAROL CAIN at 410-213-2297 or
>
> Volunteers needed to observe ancient mating ritual
>
> Throughout May and June, the Maryland Coastal Bays
> Program will be looking for volunteers to participate in a
> local horseshoe crab spawning survey. In its fourth year, the
> work helps track horseshoe crab abundance and increase
> knowledge of the locations of productive spawning areas. The
> biggest threat to horseshoe crabs in the coastal bays is
> habitat loss. As with the Maryland terrapin, the sandy bay
> side beaches where the crabs lay their eggs are losing ground
> to bulkheading and stone riprap. Horseshoe crab eggs are a
> primary food source for several species of migratory
> shorebirds. The migration of many species is timed to
> coincide with the crab spawning season so the birds can rest
> and gather nourishment. The eggs are also an important food
> source for more than a dozen fish species, and adult crabs
> are food for sea turtles. Horseshoe crabs have many
> biomedical applications in eye research, surgical suture and
> wound dressing. Anything labeled 'sterile' has been tested
> for bacteria using an end product of the horseshoe crab's
> blood. Most injectable drug products and all medical devices
> such as replacement hips and artificial hearts are safety
> tested using this method. In addition, the horseshoe crab is
> an important fishery resource for local conch fishermen who
> rely on the creatures for bait. With help from the public,
> this survey will provide behavior and population data for the
> East Coast-wide horseshoe crab fishery management plan
> adopted in 1998. Maryland harvest regulations currently allow
> 170,653 crabs to be taken annually. In the coastal bays, 12
> dates are set to survey bayside beaches in May and June,
> typically between the hours of 6-10 p.m. Surveys usually take
> less than an hour and are normally conducted during the
> evening high tides near or on the full and new moons. Sites
> can be monitored by individuals or teams whose members cannot
> commit to all 12 dates. Survey instructions can be found at
> www.mdcoastalbays.org/events. This year, the Coastal Bays
> Program and the Department of Natural Resources will be
> conducting a volunteer training session on Thursday, April 28
> from 5-7 p.m. at the Ocean Pines library. The session is open
> to the public and no reservations are needed. For kids, DNR
> will sponsor a horseshoe crab field day on Assateague Island
> May 24 for teachers and students of Stephen Decatur Middle
> and Thurgood Marshall Elementary schools. Students will join
> in several educational activities on the beach related to
> horseshoe crab biology and management. Scientists will help
> students come away with a better understanding of horseshoe
> crabs and the important issues surrounding them. To volunteer
> or for more information call Carol Cain at 410-213-2297. -30-
> |