Thousands of dead horseshoe crabs are washing up on Maryland shores after having their “blue blood” harvested, according to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity.

The suit, filed Wednesday, accuses the Maryland Department of Natural Resources of failing to release information detailing exactly how thousands of horseshoe crabs are killed, bled or injured by pharmaceutical companies and fishermen annually.

The process the Department uses to determine when crabs can be harmed is “shrouded in secrecy,” the Center for Biological Diversity claims, adding that this means that they and other parties “can’t meaningfully participate in protecting the imperiled animals,” which are threatened with extinction.

According to the lawsuit, horseshoe crabs are in need of protection because biomedical companies harvest and drain their blue blood, which is then used to detect toxins in drugs and medical devices – a practice that was vital in the production of Covid-19 vaccines.

Lawsuit data shows that horseshoe crab blood harvests have virtually doubled since 2017, with nearly one million horseshoe crabs harvested for their blood in Maryland in 2022.

The lawsuit says that while synthetic alternatives to horseshoe crab blood tests are already being used in Europe, companies in the United States have been slow to adopt the alternatives.

“It’s outrageous that a shared treasure like horseshoe crabs can be killed and injured at such high levels and that details of these slaughters are then hidden from the public. We’re wiping out one of the world’s oldest and toughest creatures through indifference and brutality,” said William Snape, an attorney representing the Center for Biological Diversity.

He added that data surrounding horseshoe crabs should be made “available to the interested public.”

“By shielding huge corporate interests from accountability, the Department of Natural Resources is severely harming the horseshoe crab, Maryland’s shared beaches and the residents of Maryland.”

In 2021, Ocean City, Maryland, experienced a significant die-off of horseshoe crabs, leading to thousands of the creatures clogging local canals. This event was exclusive to horseshoe crabs, with no other aquatic species involved or observed alongside them.

Mass die-offs of horseshoe crabs were noted again in Ocean City in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, a similar die-off occurred at Brigantine Beach, Maryland, in 2022.

Horseshoe crabs are distinctive brown arthropods, characterized by their armored bodies, ten eyes, and long, spiked tails. They pose no threat to humans. Each spring, these crabs participate in large spawning events along the Atlantic coast, laying their eggs on beaches.

Horseshoe crabs have a long history, dating back over 450 million years, making them nearly twice as old as the dinosaurs. However, in recent decades, their populations have significantly declined in all states, including Maryland. Recent years have seen several mass mortality events for horseshoe crabs along the Atlantic coast.

Five Things to Know about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s stop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

What is the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage?

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is a prelude to the National Eucharistic Congress, which expects to bring together tens of thousands of Catholics July 17-21 in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium for worship, speakers and Eucharist-centered events. The pilgrimage and the congress are part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative of the U.S. Catholic bishops that began in 2022 with the aim of deepening Catholics’ love for the Eucharist.

On May 18 and 19, four groups of eight to 10 people each set off from San Francisco (Serra Route); New Haven, Conn. (Saint Seton Route); San Juan, Texas (Saint Juan Diego Route); and Minnesota (Marian Route) to carry the Eucharist into cities and towns along the way. 

The pilgrims travel often on foot, processing with a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament. 

Together, they’ll cover more than 6,500 miles over 27 states and 65 dioceses. The pilgrimage’s four groups of Perpetual Pilgrims are young adults ages 19-29 selected in an application process to travel the full length of each route.

What is the main local tie to the national event?

The eastern route, which the Maryland stop is part of, is named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint. St. Seton has major ties to two of the stops, Emmitsburg and Baltimore.

Mother Seton is considered the matriarch of Catholic schools in the United States, having established one of first girls Catholic school in the nation in Emmitsburg with the help of the Sulpician Fathers, who were based at St. Mary’s Seminary on Paca Street in Baltimore.

She also founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph as the first community for religious women established in the United States.

Canonized Sept. 14, 1975 by Pope St. Paul VI, her remains are entombed in Emmitsburg. She is the patron saint of Catholic schools, widows and Catholic converts.

The stop in Baltimore calls attention to the city that is the seat of the nation’s first archdiocese with a stop at the United States’ first cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Cathedral Street.

What is the schedule for the stop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore?

The pilgrimage will make its first stop in Westminster, followed by stops in Emmitsburg and Baltimore.

Here is a full look at the schedule:

• June 5, St. John, 43 Monroe Street, Westminster – 2.2-mile Eucharistic procession, 5-6:30 p.m., followed by a cookout, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (free-will donation)
• June 6, Seton Shrine, 339 S. Seton Ave, Emmitsburg – Mass with Archbishop William E. Lori, 8:30 a.m.; 1.4-mile procession, 9:30; lunch, noon (available for purchase); 3.5-mile Walk in Footsteps of Mother Seton to Lourdes Grotto, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• June 6, Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles Street – Vespers and Eucharistic preaching by Father Leo Patalinghug, 6 p.m.; Plating Grace Food Truck (pre-purchase meal tickets online), 6:45-8 p.m.
• June 7, Basilica of the Assumption, 409 Cathedral Street, Baltimore – Mass with Archbishop Lori, 8:30 a.m.; 0.7-mile solemn procession to St. Mary’s Historic Site (600 N. Paca Street), 9:30 a.m.
• June 7, 4.9-mile walk from Our Daily Bread to Patterson Park, 1-4:30 p.m., followed by vespers, benediction and a festival.

How can people get involved?

You can simply attend any of the local events or, if you want to get more involved, volunteers are needed.

To register to attend, visit and see more information, visit: Overview ⋮ Seton Route – Archdiocese of Baltimore.

To volunteer for the Baltimore events, contact Angelus Virata at angelus.virata@archbalt.org.

The National Eucharistic Congress’ perpetual pilgrims are accepting prayer requests in person and at https://tinyurl.com/NEP-prayers

Where does it go from here?

After the festival at Patterson Park on June 7, the pilgrimage departs for the Archdiocese of Washington on its journey to Indianapolis. 

The four pilgrimage groups are scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis July 16. 

OSV News contributed to this story.

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Gary Scott Pavis passed away in St Leonard, MD on May 23rd, 2024. Gary was born to Thomas John Pavis and Violet Virginia Pavis and resided in the neighborhood of Violetville in Baltimore City, MD.

Gary would graduate from Polytechnic Institute in 1971 and attend the University of Virginia and would obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering in 1975. Gary would also go on to receive a Masters in Engineering at Catholic University in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration in 2001. Gary started his nuclear career in 1975 with Baltimore Gas and Electric working in Baltimore and was transferred to Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant where he would remain until retirement. He also spent 3 years at 9 Mile Point working on a Power Upright project.

Gary was very involved in the community. He spent several years coaching boys basketball at Our Lady Star of the Sea School and later served as President of the Catholic Basketball league. Gary also coached several different soccer teams his sons were on. Gary was also active with the Calvert County Republican Party in the early 1990s and later became an election judge. When not volunteering, Gary spent time traveling with his wife and spending time with his family including his extended family in Pennsylvania. Gary was known for his friendly and outgoing personality as well as his love for sports. He would attend ball games with friends and family and was an avid Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fan.

Gary is survived by his wife, Terri Pavis; brother, Tom (Rose) Pavis; children, Scott (Kristi) Pavis, Jeffery Pavis, Andrew Pavis, and Catherine Pavis; grandsons, Ethan Pavis and Nathan Pavis; and niece, Laurie (Jeremy) Olds.