Publications
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2-2003
Abstract
Maine spawning surveys of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) continued for a third season in 2003. Survey sites were located in Yarmouth, Brunswick (2 sites), Woolwich, Nobleboro, Damariscotta, Sedgwick, Franklin and Sullivan. The purpose of this project is to establish quantitative baseline data on horseshoe crab populations in Maine as a basis for management of this species. The 2003 season recorded cooler than normal water temperatures through the end of May, which resulted in negligible activity during the initial historical May spawning period. Warmer water temperatures in June supported normal levels of spawning activity, as documented by the June counts. The tagging study on Taunton Bay in Franklin continued for a third year, with more observations (1255) and more individuals observed (900) than in 2002 (1119 and 741, respectively), but fewer than in 2001 (2273 and 1292 respectively). The overall data indicate that horseshoe crab populations are declining at all but two of the sites, both of which are in Brunswick.
Recommended Citation
Schaller, S.Y., Thayer, P., & Hanson, S. (2003). Maine Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) Spawning Surveys, 2003. Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership.
Category
Invertebrates; Casco Bay
Location
Casco Bay watershed, Taunton Bay
Comments
Funded by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, Administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Maine Coastal Program, Contract 07B-G503085, amended May 2003
This report was prepared by Bar Mills Ecological, for Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission, 21 Bradeen Street, Springvale, Maine, under award 07B-G503085 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce.