Slaughter Beach Delaware

"A Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary"

A Certified Wildlife Habitat Community

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey and Training Set

Date Posted: Thursday, April 7th, 2022

2024 Annual Slaughter Beach Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey

Since 1990, surveys have been conducted of horseshoe crabs spawning in Delaware Bay. Despite the horseshoe crab’s importance to the ecology of Delaware Bay, little is known about its population status. Spawning surveys give scientists an index of the population to assist them in the management of the species. Now, every spring on several peak spawning days, volunteers donate their time to count crabs on key beaches in Delaware and New Jersey.

The Delaware Nature Society at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Milford, will once again be coordinating the annual Slaughter Beach horseshoe crab spawning survey

This year’s training date and survey dates and times can be found here: Training flyer-word format 2020