Red Knot Update

Last week, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) asked for your help in protecting the migratory red knot, Calidris canutus rufus, and other shorebirds from the effects of overfishing of horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay (I linked to this request from Monday's Birds in the News). They report that they received a tremendous response, with emails pouring in to their public comment mailbox showing your support for a moratorium on the horseshoe crab take until both crab and knot numbers recover. They thank you for your efforts on behalf of the shorebirds.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will be making its decision in coming weeks and ABC and partner organizations will continue to pressure them to make the right decision for conservation. To that end, ABC has produced a radio advertisement that will be broadcast in the Delaware Bay region. For those of you who are not able to hear these broadcasts live (almost all of you, I assume), you can stream them [mp3].

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