A national environmental group has forced Maryland to release its data on horseshoe crab deaths, which have skyrocketed in recent years. The Center for Biological Diversity sued the state's Department of Natural Resources to get records on tens of thousands of horseshoe crab deaths - and a federal judge in Anne Arundel County just sided with the organization.
"Mass mortality" events have led to problems like "thousands of horseshoe crabs clogging" Ocean City canals for three years in a row, 2021-2023, the group noted.
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| Dead Horseshoe crabs wash up in Ocean City |
Medical companies harvest horseshoe crabs for their blue blood, which is used to detect toxins in drugs and medical devices, according to the press release. That's led to double the horseshoe crab harvests since 2017 - but the organization hopes getting official numbers can "reveal the extent of overharvesting" and help fast-track the switch to synthetic alternatives to the blood.
Maryland's DNR must now release the data within 30 months. The department responded that it "will discuss the ruling with counsel and determine options and next steps."
I wonder if COVID and vaccine production and testing were responsible for increased demand of Horseshoe Crab blood?
Growing up on the Great South Bay in the 70s, they were everywhere. Full moon in June? Stay away from the water - the horseshoes are mating. Didn’t know there was a medical use for them until a trip to Cape Cod in the early 2000s. Saw a guy harvesting them for medical use.
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