(June 19, 2020) --

The International Union for Conservation of Nature Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group invites people around the world to celebrate the value of horseshoe crabs in our coastal ecosystems on June 20, 2020. 

The world’s horseshoe crab populations are in decline largely due to overharvesting and habitat loss. As a result, the American horseshoe crab is listed as Vulnerable to extinction and the Asian trispine horseshoe crab is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List for Threatened and Endangered Species. As their populations decline, their important links to other species in the coastal ecosystem can be compromised. Two additional Asian horseshoe crab species will soon be listed on the IUCN Red List.

Horseshoe crabs are a critical link to world health, biodiversity, and hold cultural importance across the globe. One of their ecological functions is to lay millions of eggs on our beaches to feed shorebirds, fish, and other wildlife. Unfortunately, this ecological link can be broken in areas where population density is low.

Join us virtually on Saturday, June 20 at facebook.com/disealab to learn more about horseshoe crabs. The videos below introduce you to horseshoe crab conservationists from around the world including our own Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael and Elizabeth Hieb.