UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant is calling on community members to take part in the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch, a statewide citizen science program that tracks and protects one of Earth’s oldest species.
The program provides crucial data for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission by monitoring nesting populations of horseshoe crabs, tagging and measuring individuals, and documenting their movements. The information collected contributes to population health assessments and helps guide conservation strategies for the ancient species, which has thrived for more than 400 million years.
A training session for new and returning volunteers will be held on Saturday, August 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Boulevard, Port Charlotte. Registration is encouraged at bit.ly/fhcw2025, and participants are also asked to create an account with the POINT volunteer management system (pointapp.org/volunteers) to sign up for fall surveys at Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda.
Since its launch in 2015 by the University of Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Horseshoe Crab Watch has grown into a statewide program. Volunteers in counties across Florida, from Sarasota and Charlotte to Miami-Dade and Franklin, contribute to standardized surveys that have produced valuable long-term data on crab populations. The success of the program has encouraged FWC to expand efforts into additional coastal counties, with further growth planned in coming years.
Survey results are published seasonally, detailing the number of crabs observed, tagged, and re-sighted in each area. These findings not only provide a clearer picture of population health but also highlight regional trends, ensuring that management efforts are based on reliable, community-driven science.
Residents who take part become citizen scientists, gaining hands-on experience in marine conservation while helping to protect a keystone species. Horseshoe crabs play an essential role in coastal ecosystems, supporting migratory shorebirds and providing biomedical resources used in modern medicine.
For more information, contact Florida Sea Grant Agent Kate Rose at kate.rose0210@ufl.edu or 941-764-4346, or Charlotte County Volunteer Coordinator Chad Lyman at horseshoechad@gmail.com or 941-830-4888.
