06/21/23

International Horseshoe Crab Day: Against All Odds

Global: In June 2019, during the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group international workshop in Guangxi, China, participants from 14 countries and regions endorsed the Beibu Gulf Declaration on Global Horseshoe Crab Conservation, to call for strengthening of policy making and better enforcement, more scientific investigations and research, sustainable management of horseshoe crabs, restoring natural populations and protecting their critical habitats, and promoting public and multi-party participation in horseshoe crab conservation. In further extending their public outreach activities around the world, the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group have designated 20th June every year as the International Horseshoe Crab Day to showcase the collective conservation efforts for the four horseshoe crab species. Since the first International Horseshoe Crab Day in 2020, more than 60 conservation educational activities, including symposia, webinars, public talks, film and video shows, exhibitions, workshops and eco-tours were organized across the geographical range of horseshoe crabs. Information on such activities will be posted on a webpage of the Beibu Gulf University, China (https://lbgmbc.bbgu.edu.cn/gjhbyr.htm). Against All Odds 2023 Booklet

Tags: conservation, horseshoe crab

04/26/22

Despite Mortality Concerns, Horseshoe Crab Blood Facility Gets Permit

Massachusetts: Despite concerns raised about the potential “decimation” of the horseshoe crab population, the planning board unanimously approved a special permit for Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. to establish a facility to extract blood from the ancient arthropods for biomedical uses.
The Wilmington-based company was before the board on April 12 seeking a land use special permit to conduct scientific research and development from a leased building at 195 Queen Anne Rd. in the town’s industrial zoning district. download the pdf.

06/21/23

International Horseshoe Crab Day: Against All Odds

Global: In June 2019, during the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group international workshop in Guangxi, China, participants from 14 countries and regions endorsed the Beibu Gulf Declaration on Global Horseshoe Crab Conservation, to call for strengthening of policy making and better enforcement, more scientific investigations and research, sustainable management of horseshoe crabs, restoring natural populations and protecting their critical habitats, and promoting public and multi-party participation in horseshoe crab conservation. In further extending their public outreach activities around the world, the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group have designated 20th June every year as the International Horseshoe Crab Day to showcase the collective conservation efforts for the four horseshoe crab species. Since the first International Horseshoe Crab Day in 2020, more than 60 conservation educational activities, including symposia, webinars, public talks, film and video shows, exhibitions, workshops and eco-tours were organized across the geographical range of horseshoe crabs. Information on such activities will be posted on a webpage of the Beibu Gulf University, China (https://lbgmbc.bbgu.edu.cn/gjhbyr.htm). Against All Odds 2023 Booklet

Tags: conservation, horseshoe crab

05/16/21

A Program for Implementing Effective Regional conservation actions for the Asian Horseshoe Crabs

China: Present declines in Asian horseshoe crabs are primarily attributed to overharvesting and habitat loss. The IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group (HCSG) jointly with Beibu Gulf University, China, has established an observation network to bridge explicit baseline gaps in Asian horseshoe crab conservation. Learn More

Tags: Horseshoecrabs

06/21/23

International Horseshoe Crab Day: Against All Odds

Global: In June 2019, during the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group international workshop in Guangxi, China, participants from 14 countries and regions endorsed the Beibu Gulf Declaration on Global Horseshoe Crab Conservation, to call for strengthening of policy making and better enforcement, more scientific investigations and research, sustainable management of horseshoe crabs, restoring natural populations and protecting their critical habitats, and promoting public and multi-party participation in horseshoe crab conservation. In further extending their public outreach activities around the world, the IUCN SSC Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group have designated 20th June every year as the International Horseshoe Crab Day to showcase the collective conservation efforts for the four horseshoe crab species. Since the first International Horseshoe Crab Day in 2020, more than 60 conservation educational activities, including symposia, webinars, public talks, film and video shows, exhibitions, workshops and eco-tours were organized across the geographical range of horseshoe crabs. Information on such activities will be posted on a webpage of the Beibu Gulf University, China (https://lbgmbc.bbgu.edu.cn/gjhbyr.htm). Against All Odds 2023 Booklet

Tags: conservation, horseshoe crab

08/19/19

Blue-Blooded Crabs at Heart of Pharma Dispute on Drug Testing

Zurich: Swiss biotech Lonza and U.S.-based Charles River Laboratories are the biggest suppliers of crab blood-based endotoxin tests, which detect bacterial contamination in intravenous drugs and medical implants. They are now at odds over the future of this testing, as Lonza urges adoption of a synthetic alternative called recombinant Factor C (rFC), amid pressure from wildlife campaigners and worries about supply reliability. Meanwhile, Charles River, which is still studying rFC, argues moving too quickly could compromise patient safety. download the pdf.

October 15, 2024

USP Chapter <86> Bacterial Endotoxins Test Using Recombinant Reagents: A Step Forward, But Not a Milestone for Horseshoe Crab Conservation

Global: White paper by Glenn Gauvry, founder and president of ERDG. The recent introduction of USP Chapter <86> marks a significant step by incorporating recombinant reagents as alternatives to those derived from horseshoe crab hemolymph in bacterial endotoxin testing. While this advancement reduces reliance on horseshoe crabs, this paper explores why it may not substantially impact the conservation of these species. Major threats like habitat loss, unregulated harvesting in Asia, and other human activities persist. We examine global regulatory landscapes and industry adoption barriers, highlighting the need for continued collaborative efforts to address the broader conservation challenges facing the world’s four horseshoe crab species. USP_Chapter_86_Gauvry_10:14:2024

Tags: animal-free bacterial endotoxin testing, horseshoe crab conservation, Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), pharmaceutical supply chain sustainability, recombinant Cascade Reagent (rCR), recombinant Factor C (rFC), Tachypleus Amebocyte Lysate (TAL), USP Chapter

September 19, 2024

Big Stone Beach becomes ERDG’s 11th Backyard Stewardship™ Community Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary

Delaware: Big Stone Beach Delaware Becomes ERDG’s 11th Backyard Stewardship™ Community Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary

Tags: horseshoecrab conservation

June 22, 2023

Horseshoe Crabs Are an Essential Part of Life in Delaware

Delaware: The Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG) in the June issue of Delaware Today “Horseshoe Crabs Are an Essential Part of Life in Delaware,” ERDG asked the Delaware State Legislature…… “with its broad-based pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare influence, Delaware should become the first state to incentivize the use of alternative animal-free BET instead of continuing to use LAL, he urges. “It would make a profound difference in the conservation of the species.” Envision this initiative being implemented up and down the US Atlantic Coast, home to some of the world’s largest multinational pharmaceutical companies. learn more