Every year I think "When I retire...."   What a great project this would be!



----------------------  Forwarded Message:  ---------------------
From:    "Dave Wilson" <>
Subject: Volunteers needed to monitor mating - press release
Date:    Fri, 16 Apr 2004 17:56:56 +0000

Volunteers needed to monitor mating

        In May and June, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program will be looking for
volunteers to participate in a local horseshoe crab spawning survey. The
work will help track horseshoe crab abundance and increase knowledge of
where spawning areas are.
The biggest threat to horseshoe crabs in the coastal bays is habitat loss.
As with the Maryland terrapin, the sandy bay side beaches the crabs use to
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 development. 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 as 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.
In the coastal bays, 12 dates are set to survey bayside beaches in May and
June.  This year, the Coastal Bays Program and the Department of Natural
Resources will be conducting a volunteer training session on April 29 from
4-5:30 p.m. at the Ocean Pines library.
In the field, surveys typically 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.
Each year students and teachers can also participate in a DNR-sponsored
horseshoe crab field day. Students join in several educational activities on
the beach related to horseshoe crab biology or management. DNR will sponsor
these annual field days at Assateague Island on May 20 and May 27 for the
benefit of six local schools. 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-

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