Volunteer training for 2011 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey offered April 7 and 16

DOVER, Del. (March 15, 2011) –Volunteer training for the annual Delaware Bay horseshoe crab spawning survey will be offered by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve on April 7 and 16. New volunteers and past participants are both strongly encouraged to attend one of the two sessions at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

 ·       Thursday, April 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Register by April 5

·         Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Register by April 14

 Register by contacting Kimberly Cole, Delaware Coastal Programs, at 302-739-3436 or kimberly.cole@state.de.us.

Volunteers will learn how to conduct the survey, how to properly record data and how to distinguish between male and female horseshoe crabs. The training will also highlight results of horseshoe crab survey data and how the survey is key for scientists to monitor changes in the numbers of spawning crabs in the Delaware Bay.

Delaware’s well-trained and enthusiastic volunteers have made this program one of the most successful volunteer based wildlife surveys in the country.

The annual spawning survey will be held in May and June.  DNREC’s Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is organizing three survey locations – Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, Kitts Hummock and North Bowers beaches.

Training participants will have first preference for beach and date signups for the DNERR coordinated beaches. Participants who are interested in other Delaware Bay beaches not coordinated by DNERR are welcome to attend the training and will be referred to the appropriate beach leader for further information.

2011 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey Dates and High Tide Times

Survey Date                                                Time of High Water*

Sunday, May 1                                             9:23 PM (5.4 ft)

Tuesday, May 3                                           10:36 PM (5.7 ft)

Thursday, May 5                                          11:52 PM (5.7 ft)

Sunday, May 15                                           8:39 PM (6.3 ft)

Tuesday, May 17                                         10:22 PM (6.6 ft)

Thursday, May 19                                         Midnight (6.3 ft)

Monday, May 30                                           8:50 PM (5.5 ft)

Wednesday, June 1                                     10:11 PM (5.8 ft)

Friday, June 3                                             11:33 PM (5.9 ft)

Monday, June 13                                           8:23 PM (6.2 ft)

Wednesday, June 15                                       10:08 PM (6.4 ft)

Friday, June 17                                            11:43 PM (6.1 ft)

* Times are for high tides for beaches coordinated by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve only.

The total time commitment per night will range from 2 to 3 hours, depending on how many horseshoe crabs there are to count. Training and pre-registration are required to assist in the survey.

Since 1990, surveys have been conducted of horseshoe crabs spawning in Delaware Bay.  Despite the horseshoe crab’s importance to the ecology of the Bay, little is known about the crab’s population status.

For more information, contact Kimberly Cole at 302-739-3436 or kimberly.cole@state.de.us.

For information on horseshoe crab monitoring, volunteer information, and more please visit Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey or find us on facebook - Delaware NERR.

                                               +++++++

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve 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.

Vol. 41, No. 94