Coming to a Shore Near You

Beginning Friday, September 5th, the beaches of Collier and Lee counties will once again host volunteers for the 2025 Fall Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch nesting survey season, which runs through October 21st.

The program, launched in 2015 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and the University of Florida, is a citizen science initiative that trains volunteers to survey, tag, and resight horseshoe crabs during peak nesting tides. Surveys are scheduled around new and full moon high tides, when spawning activity is at its highest.

To participate, volunteers must first complete a training workshop - either virtually or in person - and shadow an experienced surveyor. This season’s in-person training workshop will be held August 29th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Rookery Bay. Returning volunteers in need of a refresher are also encouraged to attend.

Why Horseshoe Crabs Matter

Despite their ancient lineage dating back more than 440 million years, horseshoe crabs face growing pressures from habitat loss and human activity. They are a keystone species, supporting coastal food webs as their eggs provide an essential food source for migratory shorebirds. In addition, their blue blood contains Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), a compound that has been indispensable to human health since the 1970s. LAL is used worldwide to test vaccines, medical devices, and injectable drugs for harmful bacteria.

“This workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about a creature that has positively affected everyone reading this article and how you can give back,” said Michael Sipos, Florida Sea Grant Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Collier County. “With many of our natural resources degrading due to human activity, it’s important to learn how we may be able to preserve what we still have. Data gathered from our citizen scientists could provide information to better understand local and statewide horseshoe crab populations. These super neat critters have been around for over 400 million years, and it would be a shame to lose them.”

Getting Involved

Survey sites in Collier and Lee counties include both land-based beaches and Caxambas Pass, though participation at the pass is limited to two volunteers at a time. General sightings of horseshoe crabs - whether tagged or untagged - can also be reported through the FWC Reporter App.

For those interested in connecting with fellow volunteers and sharing photos, the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch – Collier and Lee County Facebook Group serves as an active hub for updates and community stories.

How to Sign Up

Attend Training: Virtual training is available anytime online at:

ifas-ncbs.catalog.instructure.com/courses/florida-horseshoe-crab-watch-virtual-volunteer-training or attend the in-person workshop at Rookery Bay on August 29th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Volunteer: Fill out the emergency contact form (returning volunteers do not need to resubmit) and sign up for survey time slots.

Report Sightings: Use the FWC Reporter App to log encounters or submit data online.