Should horseshoe crabs be protected under the Endangered Species Act?

Advocates argue crab populations are threatened, but federal agencies say there is insufficient evidence of risk.

By: Ezequiel Palacios

Outlets: South Jersey Climate News

Published: May 19, 2026

Words: 771

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

The eggs are vital for shorebirds, in particular red knots, which stop along the New Jersey coast as they migrate from South America to Canada.

Horseshoe crabs are also valuable to biomedical companies, which use their blood to test vaccines, medicine and implants, ensuring that they are safe for humans.

Conservation …

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