The map below shows Delaware Bay beaches which will be closed from May 10 to June 6, 2008. Various beaches have been closed seasonally since 2003 to protect a rapidly-declining population of migrating shorebirds. Delaware Bay is a major migratory stopover along the Atlantic flyway where shorebirds stop each spring to feed on the fat-rich eggs of the horseshoe crab before heading to the Canadian Arctic to breed. (For more information on shorebirds see the Delaware Bay Shorebirds Information page.)

Select Atlantic Coast beaches will be closed from April 1 to October 30 or later. These closures serve to protect the threatened black skimmer, as well as other beach nesting birds. These beaches are also very important for shorebirds during spring migration. (For more information on beach nesting birds see the Beach Nesting Birds Information page.)

Closed areas will be marked with printed signs and rope fencing from the street end to the water's edge. DEP staff will be present to educate the public about the interaction between the shorebirds and horseshoe crabs and the need to let the birds feed undisturbed.

Detailed maps of the closed areas are linked from the map below by clicking on the beach name. Closed areas on those maps are indicated in red.