Come help us survey horseshoe crabs!
Thank you for your interest in our annual survey of spawning horseshoe crabs. By participating in the educational aspects of this project, you will help us collect data and acquire biological information on horseshoe crabs in New York’s Marine District. This data will be used by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to assess the status of horseshoe crabs in New York’s Marine District, and to assist with the regional management and conservation of this species through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Photo: Kaitlin Morris
Participating in a survey
Photo: Jenna Schwerzmann
If you participate in this educational survey you will be helping collect data on horseshoe crab spawning abundance, size, sex and tag returns around full and new moon evenings from May to July. Trained site coordinators will be present to educate and teach you about the survey, however, it is important that you take the time to follow the instructions below and contact your site coordinator before showing up to the survey. By doing so, you will be better prepared and help make the survey run efficiently and learn about the stewardship of horseshoe crabs.
Survey Instructions & Required Gear
Participants must…
Download and read the monitoring protocol for the appropriate site.
Monitor weather conditions. If thunderstorms are present or conditions are unsafe, DO NOT go onto the beach. The site coordinator will determine if the survey should be cancelled.
Sign in at their site with their name, phone number and email address.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Wear appropriate clothing for foul weather and wet conditions at the water’s edge. Consider using sunscreen during the day and insect repellent at night.
Wear appropriate shoes. Rubber boots, water shoes or old sneakers are recommended.
Bring a flashlight or headlamp, a couple of pencils, and wristwatch or cell phone to record the time.
Photo: Matt Sclafani