SUSTAINABILITY ICAL INDUSTRY... KNOW THE TRUTH
factor as is having suitable beaches in which to lay their eggs. Fertilizers, septic systems, and other forms of pollution can greatly reduce the quality of water on which the crabs depend. Sea walls, rip-rap and jetty’s can manipulate the natural movement of sand on beaches and affect spawning habitat. Beach nourishment, the practice of bringing in truckloads of sand to beaches to replenish what’s lost, or make them look nice, can bury millions of eggs before they hatch if not carefully timed. Crabs are also used as bait for conch and eels which is another source of man-made mortality.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the industry. We also collect data for the regulators from every crab that enters our facility, which is invaluable to understanding population dynamics. Most recently ACC has implemented a one of a kind sustainability project where we can create juvenile crabs in-vitro and release them to the wild. You can learn more about this exciting new program here. What information should more people know about horseshoe crabs? Horseshoe crabs and their ancestors have been on this planet for somewhere around 400 million years, they have survived mass extinctions. They are not harmful, don’t sting, bite or try to do us any harm. Remember when you see a horseshoe crab shell washed up on the beach it is likely a molt, and not a dead crab. Crabs can only grow by shedding their shells and growing larger ones. Old shells are discarded and many beachcombers worry crabs are dying when they are really just growing up. Even as recent as the 1950s crabs were destroyed by the tens of thousands by people on Cape Cod and elsewhere fearing they were harmful to shellfish beds or for use as fertilizer and pig food. In fact, they are useful for shell fisherman by helping to till and keep sediment aerated. They are an important part of the international ecosystem. What can I do? Water quality and human development are major threats to all fragile ecosystems such as the embay- ments where horseshoe crabs reproduce and grow. Do your part in limiting the impact humans have on water quality and beach erosion. If you ever see a crab upside down on the beach, gently roll it over so it can return to the water. And remember; the next
Crabs in the United States are regu- lated and monitored carefully. They are not endangered, in fact, in many areas populations are grow- ing considerably. In other parts of the world, they are victims of pollution and humankind’s de-
velopment of coastal areas and are not so closely monitored.
What does ACC do to support conservation? ACC has always promoted and practiced a catch and release fishery where the overwhelming majority of crabs survive the process of blood extraction. We work closely with fisherman and regulators to mini- mize the impact we may have on crab populations. ACC was instrumental in creating a minimum size limit for crabs to ensure only mature crabs are collected, and helping to keep a biomedical only fishery in Pleasant Bay MA where all the crabs collected are released. We have supported con- servation efforts that include the use of bait bags, decreased catch limits and prohibition of fishing for crabs around peak spawning periods. We also participate in the Massachusetts “rent a crab program” where crabs destined for use as bait are brought to our facility first. This helps to limit the overall impact on crabs, and is unique to Massachusetts. ACC takes part in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Horseshoe Crab Advisory Panel where we helped develop the
time you or a loved one receives an injection, IV or implant, be sure to thank a horseshoe crab!
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