SOURCE:
https://patch.com/new-york/easthampton/dr-jane-goodall-joins-fight-save-horseshoe-crabs-ny
By Lisa Finn - November 20, 2024
"It's a rare and special event when Dr. Goodall reaches out and requests New York help her in saving our planet's endangered species."
LONG ISLAND, NY — Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned conservation scientist, has joined in the fight to save horseshoe crabs in New York.
Goodall recently wrote a letter urging New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill.
According to Adrienne Esposito, executive director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, this year, the New York State legislature passed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, which prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs from New York waters. The legislation will allow the populations to recover and ensure the survival of this important species, she said.
Hochul has not yet signed the bill, and has only six more weeks to do so, Esposito said. Hochul's office did not immediately return a request for comment by Patch.
Horseshoe crabs, CCE said, have roamed the earth for more than 350 million years "and shared this planet with the dinosaurs. However, this species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. Horseshoe crab populations have become depleted, largely due to commercial fisherman who catch them and chop them up for bait for catching eel and conch."
Goodall, who has spent almost 60 years of traveling the world to successfully advance conservation and protection of endangered species, wrote a letter to Hochul on November 12, requesting that the governor sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act.
"I believe New York has an opportunity to lead in this conservation effort. By signing this bill, you can ensure the survival of the horseshoe crab and the many species that depend on it. I have devoted my life to preserving the planet and I hope, together, we can make a lasting difference in this important corner of the world," she wrote.
"It’s a rare and special event when Dr. Goodall reaches out and requests New York help her in saving our planet’s endangered species. Governor Hochul should heed the wisdom and vision that Dr. Goodall provides and immediately sign this important legislation," said Esposito.
Lawmakers and other environmentalists agreed.
"I am thrilled to be joined by Dr. Goodall in our efforts to protect the horseshoe crab within the waters of New York. Very few people understand the importance of species conservation better than Dr. Goodall; when she speaks, we should carefully listen to her words. Despite the current fishery management scheme, there has been a disturbingly steep decline in this species, which cannot continue. We must ensure a future for this ancient keystone species" said NYS Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, who is the Assembly sponsor of the legislation.
"We are grateful that Dr. Jane Goodall has lent her voice to our collective efforts to protect horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crabs are a keystone species that supports a number of migratory shorebirds, fish, and other marine life that rely on them for a food source. Unfortunately, the horseshoe crab population has been declining drastically, and the species that rely on them have followed sui"," said Erin McGrath, policy director for the National Audubon Society’s New York State office.
She added: “Neighboring states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, have closed their horseshoe crab fisheries in order to protect this important species, and we believe it is time for New York State to join them. We urge Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation to take immediate action to help our horseshoe crab population recover and thrive. "
Others added their voices to the plea.
"With the support from Dr. Jane Goodall, as well as scientists and conservationists from around the world, it is becoming abundantly clear how urgent the preservation of horseshoe crabs truly is," said Caitlin Ferrante, conservation program manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "Horseshoe crabs are essential to the ecological resilience of New York's shorelines and by signing into law A.10140 (Glick)/S.3185-A (Hoylman-Sigal), the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, Governor Hochul would be ensuring protections for this keystone species and the health of our vulnerable coastline ecosystems. We are grateful for the support of Dr. Jane Goodall and urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law today."