SOURCE:
By Lisa Finn - December 26, 2024
"While this bill is well-intentioned, the management of marine species is better left to the experts at DEC." — Gov. Kathy Hochul.
NEW YORK— Environmentalists are outraged over Gov. Kathy Hochul's recent decision to veto the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, which prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs from New York waters. The legislation would have allowed the populations to recover and ensured the survival of the important species, advocated said.
In her veto message, Hochul wrote: "This bill would prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial or biomedical purposes and also extend the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage crabs."
She added: "DEC has significant rules and regulations regarding commercial and recreational fishing in the state and adheres to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission management plans to ensure healthy coastal fishery resources. DEC has already announced four lunar closures for the upcoming year to address concerns about overharvesting the horseshoe crab population."
Also, Hochul said: "This bill could have unintended consequences on the management of other species such as whelk and eel, and could harm the commercial fishing industry and impair advancements in the biomedical field. While this bill is well-intentioned, the management of marine species is better left to the experts at DEC."
She urged the legislature to restore DEC's specific authority to regulate crabs, and said she was "directing DEC to evaluate and implement further administrative measures to protect this species pursuant to its broad authority to protect and regulate the state's marine resources. Therefore, I am constrained to veto this bill."
A statement from the NYCDEC read: "Horseshoe crabs are an important part of the East Coast’s ecosystem. DEC is committed to their conservation and protection by working cooperatively with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to manage horseshoe crabs along the East Coast. Horseshoe crab landings in New York State are strictly monitored and managed and DEC recently implemented additional conservation closures to further safeguard future populations."
Environmentalists were vehemently opposed to Hochul's veto, stating that a broad coalition of advocates and environmental organizations were disturbed by the governor’s decision.
In response to the veto, Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the 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."
Also, she added: "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."
Esposito said she and other environmental advocates were "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 more than 350 million years, having shared the planet with the dinosaurs, Esposito said.
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, she added. 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, Esposito said.
According to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, horseshoe crab populations have been in decline for at least 15 years, Esposito added. "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."
Esposito said that 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 more than 10 years. Today, she said, there are synthetic alternatives that are widely available and are an effective replacement for the blue blood of horseshoe crabs.
More than 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, Esposito said. "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 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."
Recently, Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned conservation scientist, also 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.
"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," said Esposito.