03/14/13
Bleeding, Bait and Birdfood: Challenges for the World’s Horseshoe Crabs
The Asian species of horseshoe crabs are currently listed on the IUCN Red List as Data Deficient, but given the overwhelmingly pessimistic reports, it seemed imperative to establish a Horseshoe Crab SSG to review the available data and update these assessments, as a first step towards developing comprehensive conservation strategies for all four species. download the pdf.
02/16/13
Attempt to Smuggle Rare Crabs Foiled in Jambi
Malaysia: Jambi Police officers seized 2,935 horseshoe crabs, locally known as belangkas or mimi, in an operation on Friday. A truck loaded with the crabs, which are declared protected species by the government, was intercepted by the officers when it crossed into the Aur Duri area. download the pdf.
New York: Meet several of the scientists in the show that will be airing on Nat Geo Wild. download the pdf.
Delaware: The lecture series, “An Evening at the Hook”, continues its 10th anniversary celebration with “Horseshoe Crabs – Things You Might Just Find Interesting” on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 7:00 PM. Hosted by Glenn Gauvry, Executive Director of Ecological Research & Development Group. download the pdf.
New Jersey: The New Jersey Audubon will offer beach walks in May designed to educate attendees about simple steps beachgoers can take to promote horseshoe crab conservation along the Delaware Bay. The walks will introduce the Just flip ‘em!® program, begun in 1998 by Delaware-based ERDG, a non-profit wildlife conservation organization whose primary focus is the conservation of the world’s four horseshoe crab species. download the pdf.
New Jersey: Downe Township is the first New Jersey community to participate in ERDG’s community-based Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary program, which also includes seven Bayshore communities in Delaware . In 2009, Downe Township voted to set aside a portion of its Delaware Bay shoreline for the celebration and recognition of the importance of this ancient mariner. download the pdf.
New York: In another twist in the long-running debate over how to manage the population of horseshoe crabs along the East Coast, fisheries officials are calling for a ban on imports of three Asian species of the ancient arthropods. download the pdf.
Virginia: On February 20, 2013, ERDG in partnership with the IUCN Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group, of which ERDG is a member, made a presentation to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Horseshoe Crab Management Board, with the purpose of gaining support to stop the practice of importing horseshoe crabs from Asia, to be used as bait in the conch fishery.
Following ERDG’s presentation, Marin Hawk ASMFC FMP Coordinator, presented the minutes from the Horseshoe Crab Technical Committee conference call held two weeks ago with Mark L. Botton Ph.D Co-Chair of the IUCN Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group and Glenn Gauvry of ERDG, with the purpose of becoming better informed about the importation problem and to explore potential solutions.
The presentations were followed by discussion, which resulted in three motions being offered and voted upon (see attached). On February 21, 2013 the Policy Board was to meet and pass a resolution to encourage states to ban the practice of importing horseshoe crabs from Asia, which did occur (see attached). download the pdf.
IUCN: We are pleased to provide you with this annual update of the Horseshoe Crab Species Specialist Group. Although in existence for less than one year, the Horseshoe Crab Species Specialist Group is making significant progress toward the goal of updating the Red List status for horseshoe crabs, particularly the three Southeast Asian species that are currently regarded as “data deficient.” A current membership listing for the SSG is included with this document. download the pdf.