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The Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Survey

The Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Survey was founded in 1990, and received government support beginning in 1999. Volunteers collect data on Horseshoe crabs through beach surveys, providing critical information for scientists and policymakers about Horseshoe crab populations in the Delaware Bay. Data from the survey has helped the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) set protocols for commercial fishing. Limuli Labs, a company that relies on horseshoe crabs to support medical research and practice, provides funding for the project website.

Geographic Scope: Regional (13 beaches in Delaware and 12 beaches in New Jersey)

Project Status: Active - recruiting volunteers

Participation Tasks: Data entry, Learning, Measurement, Observation, Site selection and/or description,

Start Date: 1990

Project Contact: bhall@udel.edu

Federal Government Sponsor:

USGS logo NOAA logo Fish and Wildlife Service logo

Other Federal Government Sponsor:

Fields of Science: Animals, Biology, Ecology and environment, Health and medicine, Nature and outdoors, Ocean/water and marine, Science policy

Intended Outcomes: Programmatic, Research development, Civic and community, Individual learning, Conservation,