News
Horseshoe Crab and Shorebirds in Delaware Bay New Jersey
The Delaware Bay, 39.1202° N, 75.2479° W, is an estuary and outlet from the Delaware River. This bay is bordered by Delaware and New Jersey in the United States. The bay in total boasts 782 square miles (2031 km2) and is an important place for both rich and natural coastal flora and fauna. It is known, in particular, for its concentrations of migratory Arctic shorebirds and its beaches where horseshoe crabs lay their eggs.
To learn more visit: ltandc.org
In 2015, there were 95 million visitors to New Jersey, 12.5 million of those visitors went to Cape May County. Out of those 12.5 million, 24.8% visited Cape May County for nature-based tourism and 11.3% specifically for birding tourism.
Currently, in Cape May County, there are 6 protected areas of all different sizes and classifications.
The Delaware bays beaches are crucial feeding grounds for many migratory shorebirds, including the endangered Red Knot subspecies, Calidris canutus rufa, and the Semipalmated Sandpiper, Calidris pusilla. On their spring migration to the Canadian Arctic, these birds rely on eating horseshoe crab eggs for fuel. The horseshoe crab, Limulidae Polyphemus, is a marine invertebrate “fossil” that’s existed for 450 million years. Traditionally, the species has been used by people as fishing bait and fertilizer.
Today the harvest of horseshoe crabs is being abused. One of the main reasons is for their extremely valuable blood. The “blue blood” of horseshoe crabs contains a chemical called limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL). This chemical is used in the biomedical industry to test for the presence of endotoxins or bacteria in intravenous systems and medical equipment. Although the pharmaceutical industry is interested to keep their valuable resource alive and bring the crabs after milking one third of their blood back to the sea, about 15% don’t survive this procedure.
The populations of horseshoe crab were at their lowest when “blue blood” harvesting became prominent. Population data was not existent prior to 1990. Conserving this species and their habitats is crucial for the success of Cape May nature and birding-based tourism. Both nature-tourism and the well-being of the bay are inherently linked together.
Human interaction, harvesting, and natural disasters (Hurricaine Sandy) stress the population of this species. When the horseshoe crab population drops in this region, there is a direct link to lower shorebird populations.
Supported by beach and historical tourism, the region brings in the most revenue May through August. In recent years, this season has nearly tripled in length because of birding; the 3.5 month time-span has grown into a 10 month season. For example, last Fall, the Cape May Hawk Watch Observatory Tower brought in 25,000 people, both tourists and locals alike, and over 100,000 people for the year. The Fall months seem to be more active than the Spring months.
Whether it be the numerous birding events, staging times of migratory shorebirds, or horseshoe crabs laying their eggs, birders are travelling from all around the world to see these phenomena. There were no bird-based focal points in the township prior to 1976, now, there is a re-brand happening for Cape May emphasizing the birds, the birding community, and conservation of the bay.
Why is your case a good example of linking tourism and conservation?
Political/Management: Primarily financed through grants, the NJ Audubon in Cape May is researching shorebirds around the Delaware Bay. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has also invested its recourses to study shorebirds and has prohibited the harvest of horseshoe crabs and horseshoe crab eggs; this is the only location in the world that completely restricts their harvest.
For 20 years, Conserve Wildlife and the Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection Divisionhave been researching how declining shorebird populations are directly linked to the Delaware Bay. Conserve Wildlife has also been restoring the bay since Hurricane Sandy to make a more suitable habitat for horseshoe crabs and shorebirds once again.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has granted resources to Stockton University, partnering with other organizations, to remove lost and abandoned crab traps in the bay. These traps are capturing and killing wildlife. Approximately 800 traps have been recovered thus far.
The NJ Wetlands Institute, NJ Fish & Wildlife, Conserve Wildlife NJ, and Celebrate the Delaware Bay, along with other organizations, are protecting and rescuing horseshoe crabs in an effort called reTurn the Favor to strengthen the population.
Financial: The NJ Audubon is committed to NJ shorebirds. The organization is located 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away from the Delaware Bay, in Cape May. The NJ Audubon offers classes, summer camps, and events. Most of their revenue is brought in during the summer months including May and September. These months are when local tourism is at its peak, through beach tourism, shopping, dining, cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and birding tourism alike.
In 2006, there was a study. Data showed that birding-based tourism and birding-based activities brought an extra $600 million into Cape May County. Whether it be people needing to eat in restaurants, people needing to sleep in hotels, or activity participation, birders are contributing ample amounts of money into the local economy through the economic leakage of their home regions. A portion of that income is going toward the conservation of the bay, toward protecting new areas, and toward research.
Educational: reTurn the Favor is dedicated to educating the public on the Delaware’s threatened horseshoe crab population.
The director of the NJ Audubon Sanctuary, leads an entire building devoted toward education. The initiative is focused on educating people on why conservation of the bay is crucial. They showcase the NJ Audubon’s research and are in coalition with the Delaware River Shed. The center also facilitates night-walks, harbor safaris, and summer camps for children.
The World Series of Birding is a weekend-long event conducted by the NJ Audubon. This brings birders together from around the world to compete while bringing awareness to birding and educating the public. The competitor’s goal is to observe the most bird species within the few days.
Are there plans to further improve your example of tourism supporting conservation in the future?
Continuing with intentions to educate, research, and help horseshoe crab populations, there is no sign of stopping conservation. Events are growing, more people are travelling to Cape May County, and the birding industry is taking off. Cape May is among the top three birding destinations in the world. The cultural landscape of Cape May County is being supported by tourism.
There are many NGO’s that are currently working toward the conservation of the Delaware Bay by involving tourism. Pennsylvania has a large hub of Cape May birding enthusiasts that support its conservation through donations and volunteerism. The Pennsylvania Delaware Valley Ornithological Club makes trips to Cape May on an annual basis.
Right next to Sunset Beach, the states most southern point where many people congregate to watch the sunset, a new protected area in being planned. Where there once was a war-time magnesite plant, officials are researching and developing the 125-acre (0.51 km2) plot of land as a bird haven right along the beach.The state is spending millions of dollars on making trails for birders and tourists with hides for observing seabirds without disturbing them. Currently, a pre-construction bird survey is taking place to see what species are currently here, to see what can be done to improve conditions, and to see what can be done to attract more birds.
How could your example be transferred to other protected areas and how could your experience be shared with others?
Other regions could benefit from integrating Cape May’s example. A few Asian countries are home to other subspecies of horseshoe crab; Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda, Tachypleus tridentatus and Tachypleus gigasare the most predominant in these areas. They exist here, but, their populations are being threatened by overharvesting as well. Developing partnership programs and inviting decision-makers to Cape May could provide an opportunity to help sustain this ancient species and other species that depend on them.
Exposure to what’s going on is crucial; showing people how important the Delaware Bay is to birding and how powerful birding tourism is. If one does not know of their importance, or their interconnectivity, they are less likely to vote in their favor.
Continuing to promote birding tourism and the bay would be a great way one could further strengthen the bond that links them. It all starts there. The bigger the audience, the more travelers will come. This will encourage the county and businesses to put their recourses toward conservation.
Between, summer programs, tours, and fundraising events, night walks, bonfires, and weekend-long sporting events, Cape May County has made use of its local, unique, bayside beaches. Documentaries have been made about the importance of conserving the area; Birds of May and books have been written.
Educating, while putting research practices into action, may be the most important part of linking Cape May’s tourism with conservation. Between the resources made accessible, keeping people off the beaches while the horseshoe crabs are laying their eggs, and keeping a close eye on the ecosystem, there has been an example made that other protected areas can integrate.
This LT&C-Example is authored by Mike Brock. For more information contact him by email: xmikebrock@gmail.com
Advertisements so SEVENSEAS Media can remain a free resource for you:
Get a weekly email of new job listings by subscribing here.
Click here to learn more about the SEVENSEAS Media Global Marine Community jobs list.
Check out our conservation calendar so you don’t miss out on upcoming events.
Find the latest articles on SEVENSEAS Media here.
Want to get in touch with questions or a submission? Contact us here.
Featured
Fish Art Contest Unveils Guy Harvey Shark Award
Photo Credit: Tina Zhao, Great White Shark / Wildlife Forever.
White Bear Lake, MN (May 2, 2025) – Wildlife Forever is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Guy Harvey Shark Award, a special award division within the Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest sponsored by the Guy Harvey Foundation. This award celebrates outstanding student artwork that raises awareness about sharks and their conservation needs.
The 2025 Guy Harvey Shark Award winners are:
- K–3rd Grade: Wenhao Xia, MA – Atlantic Shark
- 4th–6th Grade: Ruiyi Fan, AZ – Hammerhead Shark
- 7th–9th Grade: Selene Li, NJ – Great White Shark
- 10th–12th Grade: Tina Zhao, WA – Great White Shark
For full resolution winning artworks, please visit: www.theartofconservation.org/shark-award-winners
“Guy Harvey has built his life on using artwork to show the beauty of the undersea world and convey messages of conservation. We are proud to support Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest, which encourages students to be creative and express their appreciation for sharks and our oceans,” said Greg Jacoski, Executive Director, Research and Policy at the Guy Harvey Foundation.
To be eligible for the award, students submitted original artwork of any shark species along with a written piece relevant to their chosen species. Winners receive a signed print from world-renowned marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, valued at up to $200, along with additional recognition.
“At Wildlife Forever, we believe art has the power to connect people to conservation in a personal and lasting way. These students used their creativity to champion sharks and the vital role they play in our oceans, and we are honored to celebrate their incredible work,” said Veronica Mangio, Education and Marketing Manager at Wildlife Forever.
To view all winning entries from the 2024-25 Fish Art Contest, visit www.FishArt.org.
About Wildlife Forever:
Wildlife Forever is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conserving America’s outdoor heritage through conservation education, habitat restoration, and scientific management of fish and wildlife. With a commitment to maximizing impact, 96% of every dollar donated goes directly to conservation programs. Learn more about the Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest™, Songbird Art Contest™, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™, Getting Families Fishing & Boating Initiative™, and Prairie City USA® at www.WildlifeForever.org.
About the Guy Harvey Foundation:
With a focused mission to better understand and conserve the ocean environment, the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF) collaborates with local, national and international organizations to conduct scientific research and provides funding to affiliated researchers who share this objective. The GHF also develops and hosts cutting-edge educational programs that help educators to foster the next era of marine conservationists, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. For more information, visit www.GuyHarveyFoundation.org.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOcean,
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GuyHarveyOcean, or connect on
Instagram: www.instagram.com/GuyHarveyOcean.
News
U.S. Sidesteps UN on Deep Sea Mining, Sparking Global Alarm
Image credit: © Stephanie Keith / Greenpeace
As publishers connecting the global ocean conservation community, we’ve watched with growing concern as the United States government signals a controversial shift on deep-sea mining. The plan is to support mining operations outside the established United Nations framework – specifically bypassing the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This UN body is responsible for regulating mineral activities in international waters. An executive order signed April 24 directs U.S. agencies to fast-track permits using only national law. For us, and for the many working on the front lines of ocean protection whom we connect with daily, this move raises significant alarm and challenges the collaborative international approach vital for protecting our shared seas.
Why Bypassing Global Oversight Matters
This move leverages the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA), essentially creating a separate, national pathway for mining permits. It sidesteps the environmental standards and collective decision-making the ISA is painstakingly developing. What makes this particularly jarring is that the U.S. benefits substantially from the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—the very treaty that established the ISA—even though it hasn’t officially signed it. We’ve seen the U.S. use UNCLOS provisions to claim vast seabed territories, making this departure from its spirit even more concerning.
This action feels like it undermines the ISA’s authority when international cooperation is most needed. It follows recent ISA meetings where over 20 nations pushed for stronger environmental rules. Furthermore, the new ISA Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho, has clearly condemned efforts to bypass the Authority’s governance structure.
Weighing Corporate Interests and Environmental Risks
The immediate focus is on The Metals Company (TMC) and its ambition to mine the resource-rich Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific – an area teeming with unique life far outside U.S. waters. Their apparent willingness to proceed without full ISA approval is a major point of contention. Indeed, during the ISA’s recent 30th Council session, ISA Member States and Secretary-General Carvalho swiftly condemned an earlier announcement from TMC as a blatant attempt to sidestep international law and undermine multilateral governance.
From our vantage point, connecting researchers and conservationists globally, the potential ecological fallout is immense. As Arlo Hemphill of Greenpeace USA aptly put it, “Authorizing deep-sea mining outside international law is like lighting a match in a room full of dynamite… It threatens ecosystems, global cooperation, and U.S. credibility all at once.” While this order speeds up the process, it’s crucial to remember, as Greenpeace notes, that significant resistance is likely, just as previous attempts faced.
A Divided World and a Fractured Consensus?
This unilateral stance feels increasingly out of step with the global mood. We see a growing international coalition – now 32 countries – calling for a moratorium or at least a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. Alongside these governments, millions of people worldwide have spoken out against this dangerous emerging industry. They rightly cite the risk of irreversible harm to fragile deep-sea ecosystems. These are habitats critical for biodiversity and climate regulation, ecosystems we strive to highlight and explain. The simple truth is, we still know far too little about the potential impacts of large-scale mining in these remote environments.
This U.S. action risks damaging the global consensus on ocean management carefully built over decades. It forces us to ask hard questions about how we manage shared resources fairly and responsibly. We hear constantly from scientists and conservationists working tirelessly, often in isolated conditions, and for them, this disregard for multilateralism can feel like a significant setback.
The Path Forward
The push for deep-sea mining is gaining speed against a backdrop of serious global opposition. We believe this puts the international community at a critical crossroads. Protecting our shared ocean demands robust global cooperation, transparent rules, and decisions grounded in science – principles we know resonate deeply across the network of people dedicated to ocean health. How the world navigates this challenge will profoundly shape the future of ocean stewardship.
News
Living Oceans Foundation Partners with World Technology to Expand Ocean Education
In a powerful alliance for ocean education and advocacy, World Technology has officially welcomed the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation as its newest global content partner. Together, they aim to amplify access to world-class marine science content through the lens of innovation, storytelling, and digital reach.
As a platform dedicated to celebrating human ingenuity in science and technology, World Technology will now host and promote the Foundation’s award-winning educational films, interactive tools, and conservation materials. This strategic partnership brings critical issues like coral reef degradation, overfishing, and climate-driven ocean changes into sharper focus for audiences around the world.
“We are honored to welcome the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation as it works to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources through research, education, and outreach with science-based solutions,” said Paul J. Foster, Executive Chairman of World Technology.
Established in 2000 under the leadership of HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan, the Foundation is globally recognized for its groundbreaking coral reef research. Its Global Reef Expedition remains the largest coral reef survey and habitat mapping mission in history.
“At the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, we are committed to advancing ocean literacy and inspiring the next generation of marine stewards,” said Alexandra Dempsey, CEO of the Foundation.
“By partnering with World Technology to share our educational and award-winning films online, we have an incredible opportunity to reach a broader audience and raise awareness about the critical issues facing our coral reefs.”
At SEVENSEAS Media, we warmly welcome this collaboration. It’s a great example of what we believe in, connecting groundbreaking ocean science with global education. When expert knowledge becomes accessible to students, educators, and everyday ocean advocates, local conservation efforts gain the global visibility they truly deserve.
Seeing an esteemed foundation like Living Oceans join forces with a platform as innovative as World Technology is exactly the kind of bridge-building the conservation community needs right now. It’s a moment that reaffirms our collective commitment to ocean literacy, equitable access to knowledge, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 4: Quality Education.
🌐 Explore the Foundation’s free Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum and resources: www.lof.org/education/portal
All images provided by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, used with permission.
About World Technology
World Technology (WT) is a global organization that convenes the worlds of technology, science and
innovation. The World Technology Games is the annual flagship competition celebrating human
ingenuity across Life, Earth, Data and Industrial sciences. Set to debut in 2026, the annual five-day
event will convene scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators from around the world. The
World Technology Summit is staged in key world cities, and focuses on humanity’s greatest
challenges. WT is helmed by an accomplished Leadership team and a Global Advisory Group of
leading experts with a mission to elevate great human ingenuity behind the world’s greatest
advancements of today and tomorrow. Learn more at https://worldtechnology.games
About the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing
science-based solutions to protect and restore ocean health. Our marine conservation initiatives focus
on preserving coral reefs, restoring mangrove forests, and advancing ocean literacy worldwide.
Through science, outreach, and education, we equip people with the knowledge and tools to
safeguard our oceans while inspiring and training the next generation of ocean stewards. Learn more
at www.LivingOceansFoundation.org
Mass Death of Magellanic Penguins Observed at Reserva Provincial Cabo Vírgenes
Feature Destination: A Conservationist’s Reflection on Family, Biodiversity, and Restoration in Costa Rica
Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – No. 120 May 2025
Mass Death of Magellanic Penguins Observed at Reserva Provincial Cabo Vírgenes
Feature Destination: A Conservationist’s Reflection on Family, Biodiversity, and Restoration in Costa Rica
Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – No. 120 May 2025
-
Voices1 day agoMass Death of Magellanic Penguins Observed at Reserva Provincial Cabo Vírgenes
-
Feature Destination5 days agoFeature Destination: A Conservationist’s Reflection on Family, Biodiversity, and Restoration in Costa Rica
-
Book Suggestion6 days agoReefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival
-
Featured7 days agoSEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – No. 120 May 2025
-
Featured1 week agoFish Art Contest Unveils Guy Harvey Shark Award
-
News3 weeks agoFirst North Atlantic Right Whale Sighting in The Bahamas
-
Ocean Literacy3 weeks agoCoral Resilience in Our Ecosystem
-
News3 weeks agoLiving Oceans Foundation Partners with World Technology to Expand Ocean Education