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Tell NYS legislative leaders to pass the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act—there are only a few short days left to act this legislative session!
Horseshoe crabs have existed for over 350 million years, having shared this planet with the dinosaurs. Unfortunately, the species is now vulnerable to local extinction unless action is taken soon. The NYS legislature must act to protect horseshoe crabs before session ends on June 7!
Horseshoe crab populations have been drastically depleted largely due to commercial fishermen who catch the crabs and chop them up for use as bait. Horseshoe crabs are an essential species in the food web—a decline in their population is harming the ecosystem and threatening bird species that depend upon the crabs for food. Currently, New York is woefully lagging in horseshoe crab protection.
The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act (S.3185A / A.10140) would prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs from NY waters for commercial and biomedical uses. Taking horseshoe crabs for commercial fishing is the main contributor to population losses in NY. Connecticut already banned the taking of horseshoe crabs, with other states considering similar action. This will add more pressure to harvest horseshoe crabs in New York, unless action is taken by the legislature!
BACKGROUND
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has reported horseshoe crab stocks have been in decline for at least 15 years. Horseshoe crab populations were rated as “good” in 2009 but declined to “poor” in 2019. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed horseshoe crabs as vulnerable to local extinction in our region.
The species has faced a steady decline mainly due to over-harvesting by commercial fishermen to be used as bait for eel and conch fishing operations. Additionally, these crabs’ blue blood is used in biomedical research, however, New York is not currently providing permits for the taking of horseshoe crabs for biomedical purposes (although as other states prohibit taking for biomedical uses, pressure to permit the practice may increase in NY).
Horseshoe crabs act as a keystone species in the food web. The significant decline in the number of horseshoe crabs laying eggs on New York beaches subsequently threatens many bird species. Many migratory birds depend on the horseshoe crab eggs for survival, including threatened birds, such as the Red Knot. Experts predict that the Red Knot may become extinct in the coming years, unless more protective measures are undertaken to protect horseshoe crabs.
The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act will prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes, addressing the main stressors to this vulnerable species and further protecting threatened species such as the Red Knot.
Thank you for taking action. Together we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Your friends at CCE