 Littoral Society Restoration Technician Toni Rose Tablante with our Delaware Seasonal Technician Trevor Metz on one of our New Jersey beach restoration sites.  The Delaware 302 Horseshoe Crab lifestyle brand. By Trevor Metz, Littoral Society Delaware Seasonal Technician During my last week with the American Littoral Society, I was treated to a guided tour around South Jersey by fellow staffers Toni Rose Tablante and Shane Godshall. It was one of the few times we got to interact in person during the short, three-month stint I worked with the Society, but we had the same kinds of candid conversations that we had during the interview process back in March. Driving between beaches where Littoral Society restoration projects have been completed or future projects are planned, our conversation turned towards how the work we are doing - or want to be doing - can be most impactful and effective. In Delaware, the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) was chosen as the state’s official marine animal in 2002. A local lifestyle brand, 302 Horseshoe Crab, has gained considerable popularity in recent years prominently featuring our marine animal and single Delaware area code. In somewhat unique fashion, the insignia adorns both locals and tourists the same without any questions of authenticity – no “locals only” undertones. Whether intentional or not, the logos foster a sense of place for communities throughout the state. Everyone who visits or hails from here can get behind the logo – but how far does that support extend to horseshoe crabs themselves?  View of Cape May Point and the mouth of the Delaware Bay from atop the Cape May Lighthouse. We had beautiful weather during my visit to New Jersey, and the pleasant breeze aboard the ferry wasn’t strong enough to make the ride to or from Lewes uncomfortable. I had ample sunshine and plenty of time to reflect on my stint with the Littoral Society and my interactions with folks I encountered while working. Even amongst folks who have been around horseshoe crabs for years, or at the very least aware of their abundant presence along the Delaware bay shore, there was a lot of general knowledge still to be shared and misconceptions to be corrected. Anywhere I was able to feature a live horseshoe crab it was sure to be a hit with children and adults alike. Who doesn’t love seeing horseshoe crabs?! These days it seems Limulus Love is growing stronger and overall awareness of the species is increasing, too.  American Littoral Society's Delaware Advocacy Card The best way to truly show some love for horseshoe crabs, the state of Delaware, or even the local brand is the get involved. To that end, we featured a helpful list of ways citizens could get involved to help horseshoe crabs and shorebirds at our presentation events this year.
Showing up as a volunteer or taking a few minutes to send an email to local legislators goes a long way when advocating for what we value in our coastal state. Even though my seasonal position has wrapped up, there is a long list of work still to be done and this year’s horseshoe crab eggs are hatching out at our beaches who need advocates to help secure their future! Trevor began work with the American Littoral Society in April, 2024, right at the start of horseshoe crab spawning season. His role was to bring our horseshoe crab program across the bay to Delaware. His work concluded at the end of June and the conclusion of the crab's mating season in Delaware Bay. Thank you, Trevor, for carrying our message and mission to Delaware! Comments are closed.
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