In the absence of human interference, horseshoe crabs have successfully evolved for over 475 million years. ERDG has made a commitment to protect this remarkable mariner who plays a vital role in nature’s delicately balanced food web and whose life-sustaining contributions to humanity have yet to be fully realized. We believe that the foundation of a successful conservation program is effective public education and coastal community support, in conjunction with conservation initiatives, both terrestrial and aquatic, that preserve essential habitat and minimize human impact.
Founding member and Chair of the “Trade Industry & Use” work group
Founding member and steering committee support for this series of international workshops.
In collaborated with scientists from the USGS Biological Resources Division, ERDG actively participates in the annual horseshoe crab spawning survey, designed to compile reliable population data along the shores of Delaware Bay.
In 1998, ERDG launched its highly successful Just flip ’em!™ Program to bring attention to the high mortality horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) incur from being stranded up-side-down during spawning and to encourage, through a simple act of compassion, an appreciation for this remarkable creature who will not survive our indifference.
“The common occurrence of stranded horseshoe crabs during breeding season spurred the Just flip ‘em!™ program on Delaware beaches; beyond this being a ‘humane’ action, the Botton & Loveland (1989) study provides the rationale.”
– Dr. Carl N. Shuster, Jr., 1999
The future survival of the world’s four extant horseshoe crab species will ultimately depend upon the preservation of its spawning and nursery habitat, both marine and terrestrial — a challenging prospect in light of the ever-increasing human density along the same beaches and near shore areas where horseshoe crabs spawn and grow.
To clearly delineate the problems surrounding the continued harvest of three of the world’s four horseshoe crab species for the production of bacterial endotoxin tests (BET) and to raise awareness within the global health care industry on how they can become a driving force behind horseshoe crab conservation, our “Protecting Health” section was created.
In 1999 ERDG initiated the first study to test the effectiveness of bait bags in reducing the demand on horseshoe crabs used as bait in the conch and eel fishery. ERDG working with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and a select group of Virginia conch fishermen, demonstrated that bait needs could be reduced by half without a measurable loss in catch if placed within a bait bag. This is possible because bait bags significantly reduces secondary predation on the bait. At the time, a coast-wide harvest of horseshoe crabs as bait exceeded 3.5 million animals annually. A potential reduction of 50 percent represented a significant conservation measure and one that ERDG worked to see adopted throughout the industry. As a result of this study and ERDG’s program to produce, distribute and promote the use of bait bags free of charge to over 15,000 conch and eel fisherman along the US Atlantic Coast, this bait saving device is now an industry standard. In addition to our bait saving initiative, ERDG continues to conduct research and seek partners who can produce, distribute and promote a viable bait alternative to horseshoe crabs.
Our Conservation section provides a comprehensive list of regulatory agencies and NGO’s involved in the conservation of the world’s four horseshoe crab species, as well as an online library of ideas and resources for organizations and people interested in horseshoe crab conservation and education.