The American Littoral Society promotes the study and conservation of marine life and habitat, protects the coast from harm, and empowers others to do the same.
Since 1961 we have empowered people to care for the coast through advocacy, conservation, and education. We not only provide a voice for the coast, but also give concerned citizens the knowledge and tools they need to raise their voices with us. When we restore habitat, our objective is not only to restore a dune or rebuild an oyster reef, but also to motivate people to invest “sweat equity” into a piece of the coast, take ownership and become committed stewards. When we educate, we don’t merely provide books, CDs, or handouts. We lead students young and old into the water to get their feet wet and their hands muddy. Sitting at a computer or reading a book, people may develop an interest in the coast; standing knee deep in sea foam with sand between their toes, they will develop a passion for the coast. |
Littoral Spotlight:
Sunset on the Bay

Saturday, June 14
5 pm - 8 pm
Fortescue Beach
85-87 State Street
Fortescue, NJ 08321
$10 for Adults
$5 for Kids (Ages 3-12)
Join us along the Delaware Bayshore to celebrate spring migration!
The Delaware Bay is home to the largest population of spawning horseshoe crabs in the world, with their peak season coinciding with the event which will allow the community to come together and experience this spectacle that is sought after by many. Horseshoe crab talks, kids activities, and bayshore beach walks will take place.
A local musician will entertain, while food and refreshments will be served. Families will be able to discover New Jersey’s beautiful hidden coast, while marveling at horseshoe crabs by sunset. Ample parking will be available. Please bring picnic blankets, beach/camp chairs, beach umbrellas or personal tents for a beach-style picnic.
Members will have access to our Members Only tent featuring complimentary local beer, wine, and oysters!
5 pm - 8 pm
Fortescue Beach
85-87 State Street
Fortescue, NJ 08321
$10 for Adults
$5 for Kids (Ages 3-12)
Join us along the Delaware Bayshore to celebrate spring migration!
The Delaware Bay is home to the largest population of spawning horseshoe crabs in the world, with their peak season coinciding with the event which will allow the community to come together and experience this spectacle that is sought after by many. Horseshoe crab talks, kids activities, and bayshore beach walks will take place.
A local musician will entertain, while food and refreshments will be served. Families will be able to discover New Jersey’s beautiful hidden coast, while marveling at horseshoe crabs by sunset. Ample parking will be available. Please bring picnic blankets, beach/camp chairs, beach umbrellas or personal tents for a beach-style picnic.
Members will have access to our Members Only tent featuring complimentary local beer, wine, and oysters!
Event Spotlight:
Join Us for Horseshoe Crab Tagging

The horseshoe crab is a fundamental part of the Delaware Bay's ecology and is essential to the life cycle migratory shorebirds. But horseshoe crab populations have been hurt by overharvesting, habitat loss, and the biomedical industry's use of their blood.
The Littoral Society has worked for years to restore beaches to provide places for crabs to spawn and birds to feed. A volunteer-driven, community science tagging program grew out of the need to monitor the effectiveness of that work. Tagging and monitoring data helps monitor crab populations and movements. It is shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help inform coastwide policy decisions essential to maintaining healthy populations and it also helps us identify possible beaches for future restoration projects.
Horseshoe crab tagging takes place in May and June on beaches along the Delaware Bay and Shark River Inlet. Horseshoe crab tagging is a great way for volunteers of all ages to encounter these "living fossils" up close. No experience is required, volunteers will be trained on site. Learn more and register.
The Littoral Society has worked for years to restore beaches to provide places for crabs to spawn and birds to feed. A volunteer-driven, community science tagging program grew out of the need to monitor the effectiveness of that work. Tagging and monitoring data helps monitor crab populations and movements. It is shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help inform coastwide policy decisions essential to maintaining healthy populations and it also helps us identify possible beaches for future restoration projects.
Horseshoe crab tagging takes place in May and June on beaches along the Delaware Bay and Shark River Inlet. Horseshoe crab tagging is a great way for volunteers of all ages to encounter these "living fossils" up close. No experience is required, volunteers will be trained on site. Learn more and register.