Horseshoe Crab Spawning Beaches in New Jersey

This data was created to catalog the horseshoe crab spawning beach locations where RTF volunteers conducted rescue walks. Along with a layer documenting the number of crabs rescued from different impingements at these spawning beach sites, this data allows us to identify beaches experiencing high levels of horseshoe crab stranding and mortality risk, and to isolate landscape features which form significant hazards to spawning crabs. Horseshoe crab conservation stakeholders can use this data to locate sites where small and large scale restoration projects are needed—To some extent this has already happened, as volunteers have conducted small restoration projects to remove rubble from derelict homes and bulkheads, repair derelict bulkheads, and fill gaps on a boat ramp and have become advocates for other, larger scale restoration projects. This data can also be used by municipal and state officials during planning for renovations of structures such as outfall pipes to incorporate modifications to provide safer beach for spawning crabs and other coastal wildlife. Many of the manmade impingements are derived from derelict structures (house foundations, rubble, crumbling boat ramps, and jetties) that also pose a danger to human health and safety, and this data may help local governments to identify target locations in need of restoration for the benefit of human health.