Target: Robert E. Beal, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Executive Director
Goal: Stop harvesting horseshoe crabs for bait and save red knots from extinction.
In the last 40 years, the population of red knots on the beaches of Delaware Bay has dropped from 90,000 to an all-time low of only 7,000. Despite valiant efforts to save this species, their numbers have dwindled to near extinction. While there are many factors contributing to the demise of this shorebird, the harvesting of horseshoe crabs for the bait industry is one reason we are seeing fewer birds each year.
The eggs of horseshoe crabs provide vital food for the birds during their long migration. While regulations restrict the harvest of female crabs, these rules are rarely enforced, and too many of the males and young are taken off the beaches each year.
Sign this petition to immediately stop the harvest of all horseshoe crabs, and help save threatened shorebirds such as the red knot.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Beal,
I am appealing to you to stop allowing horseshoe crabs to be harvested for bait. As I am sure you are aware, the loss of even the smallest creature can have huge implications on entire ecosystems. In this case, taking horseshoe crabs from the beaches of America has detrimental effects on the red knots. This shorebird relies on horseshoe crabs as a vital food source during its long migration from the arctic. In the last 40 years, the population of the red knot has decreased from 90,000 to a mere 7,000. While there are many factors at play, continuing to allow horseshoe crabs to be harvested for the bait industry is a reckless and short-sighted decision that fuels a non-essential industry at the expense of a nearly endangered species.
I urge you to immediately ban the harvest of all horseshoe crabs in your jurisdiction.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: USFWS Endangered Species
Pathetic. Only 397 signatures – because people don’t give a shit about birds.
They are the most important species on the planet in terms of the nature jobs each one does.
Try living in a bird-less world when they are gone.
Hi…there are now 2,191 signatures….its starting to pick up.🤞🤞👍
I must have seen this alert when it first was posted. I’m glad the responses have picked up. I work helping birds for many years and while bird lovers are devoted, they are still fewer in number than supporters of other animals. Believe me, I know EVERY creature needs our help today!
I agree with ABS. A world without birds would be unfathomable. The birds who nest on the beach have been doing so for eons. Yet the human toll is causing them to become extinct. Humans don’t need the entire beach. Humans must learn to share. We also need to learn the horse shoe crab is not here for our convenience. I know it is a valuable animal for research but we also must respect the many we take blood from and then kill. To them we must be akin to Nazism. Humans always take more than they need. We are directly causing their extinction. Both crabs and birds and all life has the right to live. We humans must respect that fact!
Fisherman ought to be cognizant about not over fishing! Humans need to realize we share this planet with other species & can’t wipe out someone else’s food supply, damage their habitats etc….but we are obviously failing big time in this regard. … People like us who care about the environment & animals welfare are sadly in the minority. Greedy people !
Agree with comments above. The world would be a sad place without birds. Every specie should be RESPECTED!
Man should start to consider the implications on the ecosytem with each and every action they take. Birds are the Lord’s gift….stop destroying them with all your greedy inhumane actions! STOP ERADICATING SPECIES WITHOUT ANY COMPASSION, HUMANITY AND CONCERN FOR THE IMPACT.
We must stop killing everything off! Otherwise, we will kill this planet, and we will die with it!
We have food and entertainment! Let wild animals live! We dont need to fish to live, but animals do need their ecosystem’s food! Let them have it, and stop taking it from them!
These fishers and hunters are killing us all! They are insane! We should put them into mental hospitals, as they require!
The decimation is staggering. I recently did petitions against trophy hunting. They might as well be killing babies because humans will NOT be exempt from the affects. And trust it’s about to get real for humankind. Covid is only a test drive.
Hell, we gotta have crabbers so fat, spoiled americans can stuff their bulging faces. Can’t live without destroying other living creatures to satisfy their gluttony.
And what about the horseshoe crabs? They are “near threatened”. So by stopping crabbers from harvesting horseshoe crabs for bait, you solve 2 problems in 1 fell swoop. And you will probably save the fishes from over-fishing too.
Because i care about birds!!!
There are plenty of places that anyone can go crabbing WITHOUT taking food or habitat from birds that rely on it. I have a creek that runs behind where I live that is loaded with blue crab. Guess what? There are no birds living there that need them for food. There has to be many other locations throughout the country that crabbers can go to for crabs.
We got to rethink what we realy need and consume.
More, more, more is the worlds and the human Townfall.
Evereyone should think twice it he or she relax needs the new item before buing it.
The bait industrie only uses the bait because we warm mit and more fish.
So we the User of the fish hot it also in our own hands to do something about this from the other end.
If nobody or fewer buy and consume fish the demand drops and everyone will survive. Fish, Crabs, Birds and so Mann other creaturs as well.
We got to rethink what we realy need and consume.
More, more, more is the worlds and the human downfall.
Evereyone should think twice it he or she realy needs the new item before buing it.
The bait industrie only uses the bait because we want more and more fish.
So we, the user of the fish got it also in our own hands to do something about this from the other end.
If nobody or fewer buy and consume fish the demand drops and Tier will be less fishingboots out on the See killing fish. And everyone will survive. Fish, Crabs, Birds and so many other creaturs as well.
STOP the harvest of all horseshoe crabs, and help save threatened shorebirds such as the red knot.
STOP DESTROYING THE BEAUTY AND DIVERSITY OF OUR PLANET IN THE NAME OF GREED!!!!!
STOP THIS BRAINLESS and HELLISH “BUSINESS” NOW!!!
Robert E. Beal, stop allowing horseshoe crabs to be harvested for bait seems like a reasonable request where as other wildlife rely on these crabs for food. If their food is taken from them, then populations of animals who rely on this food for survival will start to dwindle.
Robert E. Beal, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Executive Director
Stop harvesting horseshoe crabs for bait and save red knots from extinction.
No precious and innocent animals Worldwide are safe from the rotten vile and evil money hungry greedy human species.
Horseshoe crabs are harvested by the millions for their blood to save humans yet these ignorant fisheries don’t give a damn. Everything in nature is connected. If those involved in fisheries don’t know this then they need to get another day job. Birds rely on horseshoe crabs and these thoughtless people use the horseshoe crabs as bait. One hand doesn’t have a clue as to what the other hand is doing. This must be changed. And it s always about money and convenience. The planet won’t make it through the climate crises with such a lack of knowledge n the fishery business. Wildlife needs to eat not just humans. Change your actions.
Only humans are stupid enough to push an animal or bird to extinction…we just don’t get it!!!!!!!!