CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (March 7, 2025) – Beach nesting surveys for the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch will begin on March 31, 2025 and will continue on/around full moon days through May at Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda. Volunteer surveys scheduled for Fall 2024 were cancelled due to impacts from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch is a citizen science program that uses trained volunteers to assist state biologists in surveying and tagging Florida’s nesting horseshoe crab populations. Charlotte County has observed several horseshoe crab die-offs in the past year, making the information collected by volunteers this spring vital to understanding horseshoe crab population trends, particularly in the wake of the 2024 hurricane season.
UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant coordinate the program in the county with the support of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In-person training events are offered annually in late fall/early summer, but those who would like to participate this spring may complete a virtual volunteer training prior to their first survey. Training is not currently required for repeat volunteers. Volunteers can sign up for virtual training at https://ifas-ncbs.catalog.instructure.com/courses/florida-horseshoe-crab-watch-virtual-volunteer-training
Volunteers can sign up for as many or as few surveys as they like but should be prepared to get wet up to their calves when conducting them.
All data entry is virtual and requires use of a smartphone, iPad or laptop, however a step-by-step tutorial on entering data is available at https://bit.ly/4bu4Gri
To view an exact beach nesting survey schedule for Spring 2025, and to sign up to complete one visit https://bit.ly/41JLO4
If you see a horseshoe crab outside of participating in FHCW, report it to FWC at https://bit.ly/4brNXF8.
For information, contact Kate Rose at Kate.Rose0210@ufl.edu or 941-764-4346; or Cathy Tucker at tuckerc1@ufl.edu or 941-764-4349.
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