Governor Hochul gives horseshoe crabs the axe by vetoing the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act. Advocates are alarmed with the Governor’s decision to leave this keystone species susceptible to local extinction.
For immediate release: December 15, 2024
For more information, contact: Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director: 516-390-7150, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Albany, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act (S.3185A/A.10140), which was resoundingly passed by the NYS Legislature and has immense support from the public. This law would have prohibited the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes in New York. A broad coalition of advocates and environmental organizations are disturbed by the Governor’s decision to veto this bill.
In response to the veto, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment said:
“Governor Hochul didn’t just drop the ball; she dropped the axe by vetoing the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act. It’s unacceptable to allow the continued antiquated practice of chopping up horseshoe crabs so they can be used as bait by fisherman. Overharvesting has drastically depleted horseshoe crab populations, to the point where they now face local extinction. This archaic harvesting practice should have been left in the past, but with this veto, horseshoe crabs may be lost to history. We are appalled that Governor Hochul squandered a rare and special opportunity to save an ancient species from extinction. The Governor’s inaction is not only harmful to horseshoe crabs, but also to the many other species that rely on them, such as the Red Knot. Other states have already passed or are considering legislation to end the taking of horseshoe crabs, but New York has repeatedly failed to implement any meaningful protections. We are truly saddened that we are now more likely to see horseshoe crabs in museums than on our shores.”
Horseshoe Crabs have existed for over 350 million years, having shared the planet with the dinosaurs. Horseshoe crabs act as a keystone species in the food web, their eggs are the single most important food source for millions of migrating shorebirds, including threatened birds, such as the Red Knot. As horseshoe crab populations have drastically dropped, so has the Red Knot’s. Experts predict the Red Knot may become extinct unless action is taken to protect horseshoe crabs. Sharks, sportfish, sea turtles, and other species also feed on horseshoe crabs, making them critical to the food web and a diverse ecosystem.
According to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, horseshoe crab populations have been in decline for at least 15 years. This is largely due to harvesting by commercial fishermen who chop up the crabs and use them as bait for eel and conch. Horseshoe crabs are slow to mature and therefore very susceptible to harvesting impacts. Alternative eel and conch bait are in development to reduce the exploitation of horseshoe crabs while satisfying the needs of fishermen.
Horseshoe crab’s blue blood is used by pharmaceutical and medical manufacturers to test products for the presence of bacterial substances known as endotoxins. However, New York has not issued permits for biomedical harvesting of horseshoe crabs in over 10 years. Now there are synthetic alternatives that are widely available and are an effective replacement for the blue blood of horseshoe crabs.
Over 40,000 letters, post cards, and emails from members of the public have been sent to the Governor in support of the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act and yet, the Governor ignored all of them. Connecticut has already banned the taking of horseshoe crabs and other states are considering similar action which may drive increased harvesting in New York’s waters. The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act (S.3185A/A.10140) would have prohibited that taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes and would have protected this vulnerable species and the many other species who rely on them.