In the last few decades, ornithologists have discovered that the spring migration of many species of shorebirds coincides with the arrival of the horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay.

Recent bird counts of migratory shorebirds have shown alarming decreases in numbers. Like the link between shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning times, many think there is a corresponding link between shorebird population declines and horseshoe crab over-harvesting.

Along with conservation management policies which have been adopted to help shorebirds, new management practices for the horseshoe crab fishery will benefit migratory shorebirds.