Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch-Linked with Limulus
BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST!
In 2015, FWRI and the University of Florida launched a citizen science initiative which trained volunteers to assist biologists in surveying, tagging and resighting Florida’s nesting horseshoe crab populations using a standardized scientific protocol. The program has been so successful that FWC is expanding our efforts to a statewide level.
Current sampling areas include beaches in Hernando, Pinellas, Pasco, Brevard, Taylor, Volusia, Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Franklin, Nassau, Dixie, Levy, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Collier county. We are actively working to incorporate sites in Escambia, Hillsborough, Broward, Manatee, and Monroe counties. We hope to expand even more in the coming years.
Survey results are published seasonally and include the number of animals sighted, tagged and resighted in a given area. To view previous years survey results and general trends select the year you'd like to observer below.
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2022 Report
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2021 Report
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2020 Report
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2019 Report
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2018 Report
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2017 Report
Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch 2016 Report
If you are interested in assisting with surveys going on in your area, or would like to suggest a location for inclusion into the program scroll down to find your county coordinator or contact:
State Wide Florida Horseshoe Crab Coordinator
FHCWCoordinator@myfwc.com
Contact Your Local Site Coordinator
Holly Abeels
Holly Abeels, M.S. received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Biology from Southampton College of Long Island University in 2002. After graduating, she worked at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in a benthic ecology lab. There she worked on oyster reef restoration projects and taxonomy of organisms in benthic sediments collected under offshore fish cages. She left UNH in 2007 to pursue her Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Florida Gulf Coast University where she graduated in 2009. She has worked for the University of Florida IFAS Extension program in Brevard County since 2010 as a Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent. As an extension agent, she brings science-based information to the community in areas of natural resources, sustainability, climate change, and water quality and conservation.
To contact holly about Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch email her at:
Samantha Easterling
Samantha received her M.A in Biology with a focus in community science and education from Miami University. In an attempt to bridge the gap between citizens and science within Collier and Lee County, she joined the Horseshoe Crab Watch program in March 2020.
Prior to her earning her master’s, she graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and a minor in Marine Sciences. Since moving to Florida in 2014, she has gained experience in sea turtle research, wildlife rehabilitation, animal care, and education. Currently, Samantha is the Education Programs Supervisor at the Naples Zoo, where she develops engaging science-based educational experiences for students, families, and visiting guests.
Sam can be reached at: sam.arner@gmail.com
Savanna Barry and Emily Colson
To learn more about Savanna visit
https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/
Savanna can be reached at:
Emily is a Communications Assistant and K-12 Program Leader at the UF IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key, FL. Emily serves as a co-coordinator for the Levy County Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program and assists with samplings, trainings, and other extension and citizen science efforts in the Big Bend region.
Emily can be reached at:
Rick O'Connor
Rick O’Connor
B.S. Marine Biology – Troy University / Dauphin Island Sea Lab
M.S. Science Education / Vertebrate Zoology – University of Southern Mississippi
Rick is a native of Pensacola, Florida. He attended Troy University and Dauphin Island Sea Lab receiving a B.S. in marine biology and earned a M.S. in Science Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has been a marine educator for 36 years teaching marine and environment science for public high schools, Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Discovery Hall Program, and as an adjunct at Pensacola State College. He developed the Marine Science Academy at Washington High School and directed the program for 19 years. This program conducted student designed research projects in water quality, habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and animal behavior. He is currently serving as the Florida Sea Grant Agent for the University of Florida Extension program in Escambia County.
His extension program has two focus areas (1) Healthy Estuaries, and (2) Coastal Literacy & Workforce Development. Within healthy estuaries he has developed, and oversees citizen science monitoring of water quality, habitat, and estuarine wildlife. He also works with invasive species, septic and sewage education, and living shorelines. With workforce development the focus is nature tourism, seafood, and aquaculture. Under coastal literacy he teaches the Florida Master Naturalist course, works with snake issues on the barrier islands and educates youth on marine science topics.
He is married with three children and two grandchildren.
Rick can be reached at:
Katharine Becker
Rosalyn Kilcollins
Rosalyn Kilcollins is the Horseshoe Crab Watch Coordinator for the Bald Point State Park, which had 2 sites. She has a BS in biology and MS Geography from FSU. She completed all but a thesis toward earning an MS in Secondary Science Education from FAMU/FSU.
Rosalyn is semi-retired. She is a a Certified Lead Instructor for Florida Master Naturalist Program and does part-time consulting offering training, education and facilitation regarding coastal community resilience and climate adaptation, ecosystem studies and restoration. Prior to retiring, Rosalyn was the Coastal Training Program Coordinator at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve for 10 ½ years. The program provides training and technical assistance to decision-makers, including elected and appointed officials, planners, engineers, consultants, non-profit organizations and associations, ecotour operators, and others. Topics include growth and land use issues, watershed planning and stormwater management, coastal hazards; climate science and adaptation planning, community resilience, ecosystem studies and ecotourism, ecological restoration, living shorelines and sustainable practices. She previously worked for the Florida Coastal Management Program for 10 years as a planner and environmental specialist.
Rosalyn has served as President or Chair of several organizations including the Florida Marine Science Educators Association, State Committee on Environmental Education, Big Bend Sierra Club and Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. She has worked on several statewide and regional conferences for these organizations and also the Southeast Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration and Florida Association of Environmental Professionals.
She can be reached at:
Brittany Hall-Scharf
Brittany Scharf is the Florida Sea Grant Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County. Scharf oversees coastal and marine programs addressing fisheries, habitats, water quality, and sustainable economic resource activities. Scharf was formerly a fisheries biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and an adjunct professor for the University of Tampa. She holds a B.S. in Biological Science and a Coastal and Marine Science Resources Certificate from Florida State University, and an M.S. in Biological Oceanography from the University of South Florida.
Brittany can be reached at:
Andrea Lazzari
Andrea Lazzari
Andrea Lazzari is the County Extension Director and Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent in Indian River County. She holds the rank of Extension Agent II and has been with UF/IFAS Extension for seven years. Prior to her service in Indian River County, she served as the 4-H Youth Development Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County. Andrea holds bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in Environmental Education from Florida Atlantic University. Andrea is passionate about increasing agricultural awareness and fostering an understanding of and appreciation for natural resources.
Andrea can be reached at:
Samantha Easterling
Samantha received her M.A in Biology with a focus in community science and education from Miami University. In an attempt to bridge the gap between citizens and science within Collier and Lee County, she joined the Horseshoe Crab Watch program in March 2020.
Prior to her earning her master’s, she graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and a minor in Marine Sciences. Since moving to Florida in 2014, she has gained experience in sea turtle research, wildlife rehabilitation, animal care, and education. Currently, Samantha is the Education Programs Supervisor at the Naples Zoo, where she develops engaging science-based educational experiences for students, families, and visiting guests.
Sam can be reached at: sam.arner@gmail.com
Savanna Barry and Emily Colson
To learn more about Savanna visit
https://ncbs.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/
Savanna can be reached at:
Emily is a Communications Assistant and K-12 Program Leader at the UF IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key, FL. Emily serves as a co-coordinator for the Levy County Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program and assists with samplings, trainings, and other extension and citizen science efforts in the Big Bend region.
Emily can be reached at:
Angela Collins
Angela is the interim coordinator for Manatee County's Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program. If you are interested in becoming a coordinator for this site please email both Berlynna Heres, berlynna.heres@myfwc.com and Angela at the address below with the subject line "FHCW Coordinator Manatee County", Thank you!
You can contact Angela at:
Kirk Fusco & Emily Surmont
Kirk Fusco
Kirk Fusco, of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves office, specializes in shoreline habitat ecology, marine invertebrates, and shoreline restoration. He has spent over 150 days at sea, piloted many coastal restoration projects, and tagged horseshoe crabs, birds, terrapins, and smalltooth sawfish. Kirk has an academic background in Marine Biology, and his passion focuses on ocean and coastal conservation for future generations.
Kirk can be reached at: kirk.fusco@dep.state.fl.us
Emily Surmont
Shoreline Restoration Project Coordinator
Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Emily received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Broward College in 2019. As the Shoreline Restoration Project Coordinator, Emily works to raise awareness regarding the importance of shoreline habitat in the Indian River Lagoon. She loves the coastal environment, spending her work time in the lagoon and free time in the ocean. Please feel free to reach out to Emily regarding the Indian River County and St. Lucie County Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program
Emily can be reached at: emily.surmont@floridadep.gov
Ana Zangroniz
Ana Zangroniz serves as the Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent in Miami-Dade County, FL. Ana’s focus is on the coastal and marine resources of Miami-Dade County, and she delivers extension programming that is audience-specific and addresses the needs of both the environment and local stakeholders. Ana’s major program areas include: promoting healthy habitats and ecosystems, and improving marine and environmental literacy and stewardship. Ana works most frequently with fishermen, the boating community, scuba divers, and natural resource managers.
She can be reached at: azangroniz@ufl.edu
Shelly Krueger
Shelly Krueger, M.S., is the Florida Sea Grant agent in Monroe County for the University of Florida IFAS Extension. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree at Georgia Tech in Science, Technology, and Culture, where she was a National Science Foundation STEP Fellow, and her Master’s degree at Savannah State University in Marine Sciences, where she was a NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center Fellow and completed her master’s thesis focused on Eastern oyster restoration in coastal Georgia.
Prior to coming to the University of Florida, she was a research technician at the University of Georgia Marine Extension on Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA at the Shellfish Research Lab. In 2009, Shelly was a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow and spent one year at NOAA headquarters in the National Marine Fisheries Service assisting staff to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Shelly interned at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota.
Shelly is on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program Steering Committee and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Coral Advisory Panel, Outreach and Education Technical Committee, and Vice-Chair of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Outreach and Communication Advisory Panel.
Shelly Krueger can be reached at
Kathy Mason & Mark Tomes
Kathy Mason and Mark Tomes
Mark Tomes grew up on coastal NE Florida and has recently retired and returned as a citizen scientist helping local conservation efforts with horseshoe crab surveys, bald eagle nest monitoring, sea turtle nest patrols, invasive plant removal, terrapin surveys, water quality testing, and others.
Melissa Landis
Melissa is a highly educated facilitator at Lake Worth Waterkeepers. She leads the LaGoonies program and is intent on making her mark in changing how our community is educated. She does this while working on her Ph.D. at Prescott College, researching the historical paradigms of our current public school systems, and looking at alternative grassroots education as a bridge into a truly sustainable educational system. In her free time, Melissa enjoys quiet time with her books and nature journaling.
She can be reached at:
melissa.l@lakeworthwaterkeeper.org
Burt Golub
Madelyn & Ryan Jones
Ryan and Maddie Jones joined the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch team in 2019. They attended a workshop in Cedar Key, and it was limulus love at first sight! Since then, they have helped take point on establishing the program in their home county of Pinellas.
As a Florida native, professional captain, and student of environmental science, Ryan has spent his whole life around Florida wildlife and the ocean. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to be hands-on with the FHCW and to share his passion for biology. Maddie is a longtime employee at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where she shares her love of marine life and conservation with visitors and teammates alike. An organizational nerd at heart, she also loves the administrative side of helping to coordinate the FHCW team.
When they aren't tagging crabs, Maddie and Ryan enjoy reading, playing with their two dogs, and debating which fandom is better: Harry Potter or Star Trek.
They can be reached at:
Madelyn: madelynhightower@gmail.com
Kirk Fusco & Emily Surmont
Kirk Fusco
Kirk Fusco, of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves office, specializes in shoreline habitat ecology, marine invertebrates, and shoreline restoration. He has spent over 150 days at sea, piloted many coastal restoration projects, and tagged horseshoe crabs, birds, terrapins, and smalltooth sawfish. Kirk has an academic background in Marine Biology, and his passion focuses on ocean and coastal conservation for future generations.
Kirk can be reached at: kirk.fusco@dep.state.fl.us
Emily Surmont
Shoreline Restoration Project Coordinator
Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Emily received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Broward College in 2019. As the Shoreline Restoration Project Coordinator, Emily works to raise awareness regarding the importance of shoreline habitat in the Indian River Lagoon. She loves the coastal environment, spending her work time in the lagoon and free time in the ocean. Please feel free to reach out to Emily regarding the Indian River County and St. Lucie County Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Program
Emily can be reached at: emily.surmont@floridadep.gov
Armando Ubeda
Armando J. Ubeda is the Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent of UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. His Extension program focuses on the FL Master Naturalist Program, Living Shorelines, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Resource Conservation, Marine Debris prevention, Water Quality/Quantity, and Citizen-Scientist programs such as the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch. He brings his experience and training to these courses from his time as a coral reef researcher in Nicaragua, from his time as staff biologists at the Department of Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory in the USA, and from his former position as a Mesoamerican Program Manager for a conservation organization called LightHawk. Armando received his bachelor’s degree in marine sciences with a minor in chemistry from the University of Mobile’s Latin American campus and his master’s degree in marine resource management from Oregon State University. Ubeda has also completed postgraduate courses in marine ecology, crocodile ecology, and environmental impact assessment. Armando received a Fulbright scholarship as well as several other competitive scholarships such as the Hatfield Marine Science Center’s Mamie Markham Research Award from Oregon State University, and the Duke University Marine Laboratory Scholarship.
Armando can be reached at:
Victor Blanco
Victor Blanco received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Biology from Universidad de Oriente, Venezuela, in 1999. After graduating, he worked for 15 years in the public and private sector as environmental consultant, environmental projects and fisheries manager, professor at the Caribbean Maritime University and also as consultant with international organizations as UNDP and UNESCO. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from University of Florida. Victor has worked for the University of Florida IFAS Extension program in Taylor County since 2016 as a Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent. As an extension agent, he brings science-based information to the community in areas of natural resources, sustainability, fisheries management, artificial reefs and coastal systems conservation.
To contact Victor about Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch email him at:
Tess Sailor-Tynes & Abby Frey
Tess Sailor-Tynes is the Conservation Science Coordinator at the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, FL. She started as a lead camp counselor in 2018 after graduating from Rollins College with a degree in Environmental Studies. Through her time at MDC, she has served as a naturalist on boat and kayak tours, led education programs for both children and adults, and has been involved in conservation programs including oyster recycling, shoreline restoration, and citizen science like microplastics studies and horseshoe crab surveying.
Tess can be reached at:
Tess@marinediscoverycenter.org
Abby Frey is a Conservation Specialist with Marine Discovery Center. She graduated from Rollins College in 2023 with a dual degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies. Since graduating, she has worked in education, ecotours, and now conservation with Marine Discovery Center. Abby is now coordinating creation of oyster and shoreline restoration materials, and the citizen science programs including Horseshoe Crab Watch.
abby@marinediscoverycenter.org
We're Always Growing!
If you don't see your county listed and are interested in becoming a site coordinator contact the state wide Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch Coordinator at FHCWCoordinator@myfwc.com.