They are older than dinosaurs, and still alive. Their name is a bit of a misnomer as they are more closely related to scorpions and spiders than actual crabs. These amazing animals are key food sources for migratory birds. They are also important to humans. Not for food, but for their blood which is used to create medicines. They are under threat as their habitat continues to diminish. Steve Doctor, fisheries biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will update us on horseshoe crab management in Maryland including the spring spawning survey. We will also get to witness recent videography of eggs development.
Steve Doctor has been a Fisheries Biologist with MD DNR since 1993. Using trawl and seine surveys, he manages horseshoe crabs, summer flounder, black sea bass, scup.