On June 20th we celebrate the 450-million-year-old “living fossils” that have survived five mass extinctions, asteroid strikes, and ice ages. This holiday is dedicated to protecting and learning about one of the most important (and underappreciated) species in our coastal ecosystem, the Atlantic horseshoe crab! The eggs of these humble creatures provide nutrients for migrating shorebirds as they fly thousands of miles to their northern breeding sites, while the shells of mature horseshoe crabs act as a moving habitat for the many organisms that grow on them.
Salem Sound Coastwatch has been learning so much about the local population of horseshoe crabs through our community scientist survey. In fact, the survey showed that the Collins Cove Beach in Salem was a spawning “hotspot.” With the help of the City of Salem, we were able to protect spawning horseshoe crabs by limiting beach raking during their spring breeding season.
Here are some highlights from this spring’s community scientist survey, made possible by many eyes on the water!
- Between May 1 & June 4, 75 live horseshoe crabs were reported in Salem Sound by community scientist volunteers.
- Horseshoe crabs were observed in Salem at Collins Cove, the North River, Derby Wharf, and Pickman Park, and in Marblehead at Lead Mills.
- There were 39 mating pairs reported through the survey. Spawning started on May 2, with 2 pairs reported. May 20 was the largest spawning day, with 17 mating pairs observed!
Thank you to all of the community scientists who participated in this year’s survey. Your observations provide valuable information about horseshoe crab activity in Salem Sound and help us build a better understanding of the local population.
If you’re interested in participating, join us for our annual Horseshoe Crab Volunteer Training each spring to learn how you can contribute to this ongoing community science effort.