Some species, like the Gunnison’s Sage Grouse, slide toward oblivion seemingly with little fanfare. Others, for whatever reason, benefit from a louder public outcry. In this latter category is our North American rufa subspecies of the Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), a robin-sized shorebird that breeds in the Canadian Arctic and “winters” in southern South America. These rufa Red Knots represent a critical percentage of the species’ global population. (Other Red Knot subspecies breed in Greenland and Siberia and migrate to Asia and Western Europe.) Yet their well-documented demise, motivated purely by politics, ostensibly “benefits” only a few dozen people.
Of crabs and shorebirds
What’s the cause of the Red Knot’s impending extinction? It’s simple: spectacular and relentless over-harvesting of horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay for the past 15+ years.
For tens of millions of years the crabs have laid their eggs on the beaches of what is now the eastern US in May and June. Breeding shorebirds bound for the tundra have co-evolved to “stop over” on the last leg of their incredibly long migrations to feed on the crab eggs. Although Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers and other species also rely heavily on them, Red Knots in particular depend on the presence of the crab eggs. As much as 90% of the North American population of Red Knots might be searching for food in Delaware Bay at the same time!
Since 1990, the horseshoe crab harvest increased from 500,000 lbs. per year to 7 million pounds per year. Nearly all these crabs are used as mega-cheap bait for the eel and conch fishing industries, which obviously can use practically anything for bait. Annual aerial surveys show the Red Knot population has declined from 100,000 to close to 10,000 during this period. The birds can no longer find the food they need to make it to the tundra to breed. (The horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay have also declined by 90%, by the way.)
It is well-known that Delaware Bay is one of the top 4-5 shorebird stopover spots on Earth -- in fact, wildlife watchers visiting the bay to view the crabs and shorebirds contribute perhaps $40 million annually to the regional economy. Yet the carnage has continued unabated until, now, it is almost too late…
Government scientists sound yet another alarm
Unless something changes dramatically and quickly, the Red Knot could well be extinct as soon as 2010, according to many predictions. In May 2007 the US Fish & Wildlife Service published its Status of the Red Knot in the Western Hemisphere. This report clearly states the scope and urgency of the problem, and underscores that even if other factors are involved in the Knot’s population crash the restoration of horseshoe crabs to Delaware Bay is paramount to its survival:
“If it is proved that there are … [ other factors] … this does not diminish the importance of the Delaware Bay food resource. If anything, it is increased because it is of critical importance in enabling the birds to recover quickly and reach the breeding grounds on time and in good reproductive condition. [Other measures] … are no substitute for a recovered horseshoe crab population.”
Of course, the crab population cannot recover overnight. Even with a ban on horseshoe crab harvesting shorebird populations probably cannot stabilize, let alone recover, for several years.
The Catch 22
But unless the rufa Red Knot is listed as a federally Endangered Species there is little that federal agencies can do to help the situation. Amid widespread assertions that Deputy Interior Secretary Julie MacDonald (a Bush appointee who has since resigned) inappropriately influenced scientific decisions, conservation groups worldwide are calling on USF&W to re-examine its December 2005 decision not to place the Red Knot on the Endangered Species List on an emergency basis, given that questionable procedures might’ve been involved and in light of this recent report.
For more info on the “MacDonald’s Farm” debacle:
* view link
* view link
While federal agencies flounder, right now it is up to politicians in New Jersey to slow the Red Knot’s rate of population loss by introducing a moratorium on horseshoe crab harvesting until the decimated crab population can recover.
After over a decade of conservationists’ arm-waving, scientific studies and public outcry, this was close to happening. Then, on February 13, 2008, the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (by a vote of 5 to 4) rejected the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection proposed moratorium on the crab harvest -- condemning the Red Knot to extinction and violating the public trust for the sake of the profits of a tiny special interest minority.
What we can do
Thankfully, New Jersey legislators quickly introduced a bill to counter this insanity: view link
Eons birders -- especially those who live near Delaware Bay or have visited the area to view birds -- can join New Jersey Audubon members and tens of thousands of other concerned US citizens and others by e-mailing key New Jersey state senators urging them to pass this bill.
For the latest information see the New Jersey Audubon website here: view link
In your e-mail, consider voicing some or all of these points:
1) Legislators must move the horseshoe crab moratorium legislation (S1331) out of the Senate Environment Committee ASAP. They should also commit to co-sponsoring the legislation and voting for the bill when it comes before the full Senate.
2) The moratorium needs to last until the Delaware Bay shorebird populations and spawning horseshoe crabs have fully recovered.
3) Due to the overharvest of horseshoe crabs, the Red Knot, a robin-sized shorebird, is facing extinction and two other shorebirds, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstones, are facing significant declines. Sanderlings are also negatively impacted.
4) Delaware Bay is one of the most important shorebird stopover sites in the world. We must be responsible stewards for this precious resource!
5) Express appreciation for the NJ Assembly’s fast action this far, and mention it if you’ve ever visited Delaware Bay for wildlife viewing.
Here’s contact info for key legislators:
Senator John Adler (856)-489-3442 senadler@njleg.org
Senator Christopher Bateman (908)-526-3600 senbateman@njleg.org
Senator Andrew Ciesla (732)-840-9028 senciesla@njleg.org
Senator Bob Gordon (201)-703-9779 sengordon@njleg.org (Senator Gordon is a leader in supporting this legislation -- be sure to thank him!)
Senator Bob Smith (732)-752-0770 sensmith@njleg.org
Senator Jeff Van Drew (609)-465-0700 or senvandrew@njleg.org
Thanks for your help in saving the Red Knot and the other shorebirds that stop over on Delaware Bay.
Peace and good birding,
Scott Cronenweth
Eons birding mentor
www.naturalpathwalks.com
