For Immediate Release: February 28, 2003

Contact: , American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 207

Conservationists Hail Decision to Protect Prehistoric Creature and Imperiled Bird 

Officials from Delaware and New Jersey announced yesterday a landmark decision that will help protect both a prehistoric creature and the birds that depend on it for their survival. The decision to close all horseshoe crab harvesting in the Delaware Bay between May 1 and June 7 is being hailed by shorebird and crab conservationists as a significant victory. 

Horseshoe crabs are thought to date back 450 million years – before the dinosaurs. They provide a crucial food source for shorebirds, who rely on the excess eggs of these ancient animals to sustain them over their migration of thousands of miles. Horseshoe crabs are taken from spawning beaches, and dredged and trawled for use as bait in conch and eel pots. Recently the crabs have been harvested to the point of dramatic population declines along the Atlantic Coast, particularly the Delaware Bay. 

“The relatively short period of this harvest closure is crucial to both the crabs and shorebirds as it is the peak time when the crabs come ashore to spawn,” said Gerald Winegrad, Vice President for Policy at American Bird Conservancy (ABC). “Migrating shorebirds like the Red Knot stop off on their long journey north to gorge on the crab eggs that will sustain them through the remainder of their trip and for successful breeding. It has also historically been the time of greatest harvest of crabs for bait, because the crabs are easily picked off the beaches, interrupting their spawning and shorebird feeding. We are delighted by the news and commend the states of New Jersey and Delaware for their timely actions on behalf of the crabs and shorebirds,” he said. 

ABC and other conservation groups, including National Audubon and New Jersey Audubon Societies, along with leading international scientists from Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Europe, had urged New Jersey and Delaware to put a halt to the harvest to protect Red Knot populations. About 90% of the New World’s Red Knot population flies from Southern Argentina each spring to feed voraciously on horseshoe crab eggs in the Delaware Bay. Recent research has shown that crab declines mean that many of these birds are not gaining sufficient weight to migrate to the arctic and successfully breed. Dunlins, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings are also dependent on crab eggs. 

Delaware and New Jersey will also now require all conch potters to use bait-saving devices such as bait bags (already required in Virginia). These bags, advocated by ABC, can reduce crab use by 50% by enabling only half a crab to be used in each pot instead of a whole crab with equal catch results. Restrictions will also be imposed on access to state and federal beaches during the peak spawning time. This will apply to bird watchers, beach goers, local residents, and researchers alike. 

Despite past actions by the states and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to reduce crab harvest for bait, reported harvests went up in 2002 by 25% to 1.257 million crabs. Much of this increase occurred in Delaware and New Jersey. Maryland exceeded its voluntary quota by 67,000 crabs before closing its harvest. Now, Delaware and New Jersey have agreed to cap their harvest at 150,000 crabs each, nearly one-half of 2002 levels. Maryland has also agreed to maintain a voluntary cap of 211,000 crabs while saying it will endeavor to keep landings even lower, at the 2001 level of 170,000.

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American Bird Conservancy is a non-profit organization concerned with the conservation of birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC has main offices in Washington, D.C. and Virginia, and satellite offices in Oregon, Colorado, Missouri, and Montana.