Horshoecrab
Spawning Survey
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In cooperation with the NC Division of Marine
Fisheries, volunteers and staff of the NC Aquarium at Ft.
Fisher have conducted the first annual horseshoe crab spawning
survey. Forty-seven surveys were completed along the shoreline
from Wrightsville Beach to Ft. Fisher, April through June
2002. Very little is known about the habits and behaviors
of horseshoe crabs in southeastern NC, yet these animals are
a very important part of coastal ecosystems. |
Adult Horseshoe Crab |
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Horseshoe crab eggs deposited in nests along the waterline
of beaches, sounds and islands are known to provide nourishment
for migrating birds. Blood collected from horseshoe crabs
is used to create tests for bacterial contaminants in medications
and intravenous fluids essential in human medicine.
There is no known evidence that large numbers of horseshoe
crabs have ever spawned on our beaches. Historical anecdotes
of long-time residents place small groups of spawning horseshoe
crabs in several areas along the beachfront. |
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Preserved horseshoe crab posterior and
anterior
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Although no spawning horseshoe crabs were
documented during the survey, a number of non-spawning horseshoe
crabs were reported. Lack of spawning activity may be due
to dynamic wave action, offshore storms occurring during
the survey dates, and sand shifts typical of barrier spits.
Horseshoe crab populations in the northeastern US are decreasing
at alarming rates. Take limits have been established in
hopes of allowing these animals to recover. We hope to avoid
these same problems by establishing take limits early.
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In March 2003, the survey area was expanded southward
along the coast and inland to include the islands within
the Cape Fear River. Volunteer boaters are needed to cover
these remote areas at high tide between dusk and dawn.
If you are interested in assisting with the survey, please
contact Jackie Harris at the NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher
(910-458-8259, ext.213).
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