NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
April 3, 2009
Vol. 39 No. 127
For more information, contact Kimberly Cole, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, Delaware Coastal Programs, 302-739-3436: or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Volunteers Needed for Delaware Bay
Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey
Training Sessions Set for April 22 and 25
Every May and June thousands of horseshoe crabs descend on the beaches of the Delaware Bay, and volunteers are needed to assist the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve with the annual horseshoe crab spawning survey at three locations -Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, Kitts Hummock and North Bowers beaches.
Volunteer training sessions will be held 6 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, and 10 – 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25 at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. To register for the training, please contact Delaware Coastal Programs staff Kimberly Cole, kimberly.cole@state.de.us, or Harvey Zendt, harvey.zendt@state.de.us, at 302-739-3436.
Volunteers will learn how to conduct the survey, record data and distinguish between male and female horseshoe crabs. The training will also highlight results of horseshoe crab surveys conducted at the Reserve survey beaches since 2001. New volunteers and past participants are strongly encouraged to attend.
“Horseshoe crabs occupy an important ecological niche in Delaware’s coastal habitat,” said Kimberly Cole, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve manager. “The survey will gather valuable information that will help us better manage and conserve this valuable resource.”
Since 1990, surveys have been conducted on horseshoe crabs spawning in Delaware Bay. Every May and June on several peak spawning days, volunteers donate their time to count crabs on key beaches in Delaware and New Jersey. Delaware’s well-trained and enthusiastic volunteers have made this program one of the most successful volunteer-based wildlife programs in the country.
For Reserve coordinated beaches, trained participants will have first preference for beach location and date. Participants who are interested in other Delaware Bay beaches are welcome to attend the training and will be referred to the appropriate beach leader for further information. Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
2009 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey Dates and High Tide Times
Thursday, May 7, 9:23 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 10:42 p.m.
Monday, May 11, 11:59 p.m.
Friday, May 22, 8:38 p.m.
Sunday, May 24, 10:17 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26, midnight
Friday, June 5, 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, 10:21 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9, 11:37 p.m.
Saturday, June 20, 8:12 p.m.
Monday, June 22, 10:02 p.m.
Wednesday, June 24, 11:48 p.m.
On spawning survey nights, the St. Jones Reserve will be open approximately one hour prior to these times for volunteers to sign in, pick up materials and meet their survey team. The total time commitment per night will range from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on how many horseshoe crabs there are to count. The times listed are the high tides for the Reserve coordinated beaches only. Pre-registration is required.
For information on DNREC’s survey, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/coastal/DNERR/Pages/DNERRHSCSpawningSurvey.aspx.
The annual baywide horseshoe crab spawning survey can be found at http://www.ocean.udel.edu/mas/bhall/hsccensus.
The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is a partnership between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. DNERR is administered through the Delaware Coastal Programs Section of DNREC’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
