Date: Thu, 28 Aug 1997 19:45:41 -0400 Sender: "National Birding Hotline Cooperative (East)" From: "Jean M. Bickal" Subject: RBA: Cape May, NJ 8/28/97 - RBA * NJCM9708.28 - Transcript Hotline: Cape May Birding Hotline Date: August 28, 97 Number: (609) 861-0466 To Report: (609) 884-2736 Coverage: Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Co., NJ Compiler: Cape May Bird Observatory staff Transcriber: Jean Bickal (jbickal@pluto.njcc.com) You have reached the Cape May Birding Hotline, a service of New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory. HORSESHOE CRAB ALERT -- WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP On August 18th new proposed horseshoe crab regulations will be published in the New Jersey Register. On that date (August 18th) a 30-day public comment period opens. The proposed new regulations: (1) will establish a limited entry system whereby individuals must meet certain criteria to quality for a horseshoe crab harvester's permit, (2) will restrict the harvest to hand collection only (prohibiting all other gear types, (3) sets a possession limit of 100 horseshoe crabs per day, and (4) will limit the open season for harvesting horseshoe crabs to Tuesdays and Thursdays during the period of May 1 through June 30. We need all of you to comment on these new proposed horseshoe crab regulations. The NJ Marine Fisheries Council must know that the conservation world is still watching, and that these regulations may not be strict enough to allow the horseshoe crab population to recover. The Council must make a commitment to maintaining this fragile and ecologically significant resource. They must acknowledge that all measures of horseshoe crab abundance indicate a decline in the species, and that this decline must be reversed. We must get a commitment that if the horseshoe crab population does not recover, that the council will put in place a moratorium. To receive a copy of the new proposed horseshoe crab regulations send a check or money order of $2.25 (copying fee) to the Office of Administrative Law, 9 Quakerbridge Plaza, P.O. Box 049, Trenton, NJ 08625-0049 and ask for a copy of the "Horseshoe Crab Proposal adopted as an emergency amendment to N.J.A.C. 7:25-18.16." Your written comments must be received by September 17, 1997 and can be sent to Janis E. Hoagland, Esq, DEP Docket No. 19-97-07/634, DEP Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 402, Trenton, NJ 08625-0402. Thanks for your continued help with this environmental crisis!