PR92824

E. FALMOUTH, Mass., Nov. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

ACC proudly announces that it has achieved the release of its millionth

juvenile horseshoe crab to the wild, as a result of its species sustainability

project. The program is the first of its kind to release ecologically

significant numbers of North American Horseshoe Crabs (NAHSC); it was initiated

by the company in 2017 in the US and expanded into Asia in 2019, with a goal of

enhancing the sustainability of crab populations that are so vital to local

ecosystems as well as to the manufacture of Bacterial Endotoxin Test (BET)

reagents that utilize a raw material found in crab blood. ACC's reagents are

used worldwide in pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, compounding

pharmacy and dialysis industries for quality control, product release and

research.

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With the goal of maintaining the greatest biodiversity possible, ACC's species

sustainability project sources NAHSC eggs and gametes exclusively from crabs

destined for terminal use as bait by the fishing industry. Without injury to

the crab, ACC staff harvest the reproductive cells, fertilize them in vitro and

then culture them to juvenile horseshoe crabs all within ACC's innovative,

patent pending aquaculture system at its facility in Falmouth, MA. Once the

crabs reach their first and second instars (about the size of a small

fingernail) the juveniles are released into the wild in a setting where they

can immediately burrow to safety.

"Our horseshoe crab sustainability project is important to the company and

other stakeholders of effected ecosystems," noted Dr. A.J. Meuse, President and

CEO of ACC, "This project aligns closely with our overall plans to minimize our

impact on the populations of the NAHSC and provided an opportunity to develop a

completely new aquaculture system technology specifically designed to support

the growth of horseshoe crabs. Local regulators supported our mission and

granted ACC a class 1 type 4 aquaculture permit that allowed us to make this

program a reality."

"The raising and releasing of more than a million horseshoe crabs into the

local ecosystems is expected to continue and have a measurable and positive

impact on horseshoe crab populations for years to come," said Brett

Hoffmeister, LAL Production Manager, ACC and author of the patent pending

aquaculture system. "As team leader, this incredible achievement would not have

been possible without the hard work and dedication of the ACC employees who

make up our horseshoe crab species sustainability team.  We're excited to see

the impact that our program will have on our local aquatic ecosystem and

appreciate the vision of our corporate ownership who fully support our

efforts." Mr. Hoffmeister also commented that ACC's decision to provide these

highly specialized aquaculture systems free of charge to qualified academics in

Asia to support Tachypleus population recovery shows the company's dedication

to making a global impact.

ACC believes its incredibly successful horseshoe crab sustainability project is

the first to make an impact of this magnitude by any provider of Limulus

Ameobocyte Lysate (LAL) products. Since 2011, as an organization, ACC has

demonstrated its commitment to the environment and thoughtful use of resources

through other operational initiatives such as waste-water reduction and reuse

programs, packaging recycling practices, and the introduction of

environmentally friendly water-based glues and vegetable-based inks for

printing.

About Associates of Cape Cod Inc. -- A Seikagaku Group Company

Specializing in chromogenic and turbidimetric reagent technologies, Associates

of Cape Cod, Inc. (ACC) has been a global leader in endotoxin and

(1,3)-beta-D-glucans detection products and services for nearly 50 years. ACC

pioneered modern LAL testing methodology and was the first U.S. FDA licensed

company to manufacture LAL reagents; ACC is today recognized as an

international leader in endotoxin detection. Visit www.acciusa.com for more

information.

For further information contact

Vann Jones -- Senior Manager, Marketing

Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.

East Falmouth, MA   02536

USA

Phone: +1-888-395-2221

VJones@acciusa.com

www.acciusa.com

SOURCE Associates of Cape Cod Inc.