Horseshoe Crab Biology and Population Dynamics K–12 Teacher Resources

Educating school-age children, as well as providing marine science information to the general public to increase marine literacy has long been an important goal of the Delaware Sea Grant College Program. The program employs a variety of traditional and innovative outreach methods, from teacher seminars to virtual field trips, to reach teachers, students, and lifelong learners.

The Marine Advisory Service develops formal teacher professional development programs and in-service opportunities, as well as marine and aquatic curricula. The marine educator also works with the Marine Public Education Office to develop publications, exhibits, and Web sites on marine life and phenomena for non-scientists.

Horseshoe Crab Biology and Population Dynamics The horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is a keystone species in the Delaware Bay. Currently the bay's population is under heavy fishing pressure due to the bait industry (the horseshoe crab is the preferred bait of eels and conch), and a number of data sets indicate a strong population decline. The Marine Advisory Service continues to support population studies as well as faculty research to develop an artificial bait. Also see our horseshoe crab Web site. Take part in the 2008 Horseshoe Crab Survey >