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-
>