Thousands of dead horseshoe crabs are washing up on Maryland shores after having their “blue blood” harvested, according to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. This suit, filed on Wednesday, accuses the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of failing to release information detailing exactly how thousands of horseshoe crabs are killed, bled, or injured by pharmaceutical companies and fishermen annually.
The Center for Biological Diversity contends that the process used by the DNR to determine when and how horseshoe crabs can be harmed is “shrouded in secrecy.” This lack of transparency, the lawsuit claims, means that concerned parties, including environmental groups and the public, “can’t meaningfully participate in protecting the imperiled animals.” Horseshoe crabs are threatened with extinction, making the need for protection even more urgent.
Horseshoe crabs are harvested for their blue blood, which is uniquely valuable in detecting endotoxins in medical applications. This practice was particularly crucial during the production of Covid-19 vaccines, where the blood’s ability to detect bacterial toxins ensured the safety of the vaccines. However, the biomedical industry’s demand for horseshoe crab blood has led to a significant increase in harvesting activities. According to the lawsuit, horseshoe crab blood harvests have nearly doubled since 2017, with almost one million crabs being harvested in Maryland alone in 2022.
Despite the availability of synthetic alternatives to horseshoe crab blood tests, which are already in use in Europe, U.S. companies have been slow to adopt these alternatives. This continued reliance on horseshoe crabs has exacerbated the decline in their populations. William Snape, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized this practice, stating, “It’s outrageous that a shared treasure like horseshoe crabs can be killed and injured at such high levels and that details of these slaughters are then hidden from the public. We’re wiping out one of the world’s oldest and toughest creatures through indifference and brutality.” He called for transparency, emphasizing that data surrounding horseshoe crabs should be made “available to the interested public.”
In addition to the lawsuit, the Center for Biological Diversity highlighted the environmental and community impacts of these practices. In 2021, Ocean City, Maryland, experienced a significant die-off of horseshoe crabs, leading to thousands of the creatures clogging local canals. Similar mass die-offs were noted in Ocean City in 2022 and 2023, and at Brigantine Beach in 2022. These events were exclusive to horseshoe crabs, with no other aquatic species involved or observed alongside them.
Horseshoe crabs are distinctive arthropods, recognizable by their armored bodies, ten eyes, and long, spiked tails. They pose no threat to humans and play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem. Each spring, they participate in large spawning events along the Atlantic coast, laying their eggs on beaches, which are vital for the survival of many shorebird species.
Horseshoe crabs have a long history, dating back over 450 million years, making them nearly twice as old as the dinosaurs. Despite their resilience over the millennia, recent decades have seen significant declines in their populations across all states, including Maryland. The mass mortality events observed along the Atlantic coast in recent years underscore the precarious situation these ancient creatures face.
The lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity aims to bring accountability and transparency to the practices that are endangering horseshoe crabs. By challenging the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Center hopes to compel the release of crucial data and foster a more open and responsible approach to the management of horseshoe crab populations. This, in turn, could lead to the adoption of synthetic alternatives and better protection measures for these vital and ancient creatures.
The future of horseshoe crabs depends on the collective efforts of regulatory bodies, the biomedical industry, and environmental advocates. With increased awareness and action, it is possible to balance the needs of medical advancements with the conservation of one of the world’s oldest living species. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how endangered species are protected in the face of commercial interests, ensuring that the legacy of the horseshoe crab endures for generations to come.