Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Data

Beginning in 1992, crab landings from Virginia to New York increased exponentially without regard to the health of the crab population or the shorebirds that rely on their eggs for food.

As a result, the available food source to migrating shorebirds decreased dramatically. The lack of crab eggs meant fewer birds were able to gain enough weight to ensure a successful northward migration to their breeding grounds. The following chart shows the number of Red Knots reaching weights in excess of 185g fell sharply between 1997 and 2003 (data is not available prior to 1997).

Unable to make their required migration weights, fewer birds are able to complete their northerly migration, resulting in steep population declines. Peak counts of shorebirds returning to the Delaware Bay have declined precipitously in recent years.

Data provided by Lawrence Niles Ph.D, Amanda Dey Ph.D - NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.