The UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant Charlotte County is calling for volunteers to join the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch program, which focuses on collecting vital data about mating horseshoe crabs in Charlotte Harbor.
This initiative helps the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) assess population health and track movement patterns of these ancient marine creatures.
The Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch involves conducting beach surveys, documenting tagged horseshoe crabs, and tagging and measuring new specimens. Volunteers can sign up for as many surveys as their schedule allows.
New volunteers are required to attend in-person training before participating in their first survey, while returning volunteers or those unable to attend in-person training can access online instructional videos.
Surveys will now take place at Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda, starting September 2024, with previous surveys having been conducted at Bayshore Live Oak Park. This change is supported by the Peace River Wildlife Center.
Interested individuals can register online here .
Training Details:
- Date: September 21, 2024
- Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Location: Punta Gorda Library, 401 Shreve St., Punta Gorda
Survey Details:
- Location: Ponce de Leon Park, 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda
- Fall 2024: Surveys will be scheduled around high tides during the new moon and full moon phases from September to November. For the exact schedule, click here .
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Spring 2025: Surveys will occur around high tides during the new moon and full moon phases from March to May. For the exact schedule, click
here
.
Join the effort to help monitor and protect the horseshoe crab population in Charlotte Harbor!