During a recent visit to Plumb Beach, female horseshoe crabs were observed mating with multiple males, resulting in the fertilization of thousands of eggs. Despite a general decline in horseshoe crab populations throughout the Atlantic Ocean, New York City's horseshoe crabs are experiencing a notable rise in numbers. The latest survey reported nearly a 40% increase from the previous year in Jamaica Bay. The positive trend is attributed to ongoing monitoring and spawning counting, while concerns remain regarding habitat loss and overharvesting due to pharmaceutical demands.
Beneath a full moon in Jamaica Bay, horseshoe crab love was in the air. Female crabs skirted along the shore, each with two or three smaller male crabs attached to their backs and sides, fertilizing thousands of eggs in the sand.
Plumb Beach, a narrow strip just off the Belt Parkway, is one of the hottest spots for thousands of horseshoe crabs to find mates. A female crab will have as many as three male crabs attached to her for two months.
We're starting to see some positive trends the last five to 10 years in almost all of the areas that we're monitoring, Jamaica Bay has been showing a slow and steady increase over the last five years, the last 10 years for sure.
Last year, the group petitioned the federal government to list the 10-eyed creatures as endangered. The request is still pending.
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