Returning crabs back to their proper side will help reduce mortality from stranding. Help us reTURN the Favor to aid the Horse­shoe Crab population and migratory shorebirds that rely on them for survival.

reTURN the Favor

To save a stranded Horseshoe Crab, we ask that you follow these simple guidelines:

1. Plan your outing around a falling or low tide.
2. Hold crabs by their sides, not the tail – crabs are harmless!
3. Gently place crabs on their feet pointing towards the water.
4. Leave crabs where you find them – do not remove live or dead crabs from the beach.
5. If you encounter shorebirds please do not disturb them – walk well away from flocks to allow them to feed and roost undisturbed.
6. Do not enter into a closed beach unless you are on a sanctioned reTURN the Favor walk. To sign up visit: returnthefavornj.org.
7. Ask for permission if you need to enter private property

Be Aware

• New Jersey has a moratorium on pos­session of Horseshoe Crabs, so please do not remove live or dead crabs from beaches.
• To protect shorebirds from human disturbance, several Delaware Bay beaches are closed from May 7 – June 7.
• Closed Delaware Bay beaches include: Money Island Beach, Fortescue Beach, Raybins Beach, Thompsons Beach, Moores Beach, Reeds Beach, Cooks Beach, Kimbles Beach, Pierces Point, Highs Beach, Rutgers Beach, Norburys Landing, Sunray Beach, and Villas Beach.
• Seasonally closed areas occur on Stone Harbor Point, 2 Mile Beach, and North Brigantine Natural Area to protect both migratory and breeding shorebirds.

Join a reTURN the Favor Walk

Only sanctioned groups are allowed to rescue Horseshoe Crabs on closed beaches. To sign-up for a spring reTURN the Favor walk, please click here to register for a date and time.

Lead a reTURN the Favor Walk for us

For more information, see the tools available on our resource toolkit page.