What's Being Done and What You Can Do

Current regulations for harvesting horseshoe crabs vary from state to state and none exist that are coast-wide. Most states have some restrictions as to when, where, and how harvesting can take place but most do not have regulations that restrict the overall take of crabs. This is clearly evidenced by the rapid increase in the overall harvest of crabs witnessed in the past few years. There are efforts under way to create stricter regulations both at the state level and coast-wide. While environmental organizations are pushing for these regulations, crabbers are fighting any new restrictions. Public support will be an important aspect of the regulatory process.

On May 30, 1997, based on this year's alarming decrease in horsehsoe crabs and shorebirds on the New Jersey shores, Governor Whitman announced a 60-day emergency moratorium banning the harvest of horseshoe crabs in New Jersey. The moratorium period will be used to determine what further actions are necessary.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is in the process of developing regulations for both American Eel and Horseshoe Crab for the entire Atlantic coast. These regulations will be instituted in the spring of 1998. A technical panel and an industry panel are in the process of developing recommendations for the commission. Carl Safina from the National Audubon Society (NAS) is a participant on the industry panel.

Several environmental agencies including National Audubon, American Bird Conservancy (ABC), and New Jersey Audubon are asking that emergency moratoriums on the harvest of horseshoe crabs be put into place until strict new regulations can be established. The following are some of the positions of these organizations:

Updates:

November 20, 1997: DE, MD, NJ, & VA Commit to Regional Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crab
Mid-atlantic states commit resources to develop a fisheries management plan to be completed by October 1998. The plan will develop a fisheries plan that protects horseshoe crabs, shorebirds, and a sustainable horseshoe crab fishery. The plan will include a stock assessment of horseshoe crabs to determine harvest levels to sustain the horseshoe crabs and the shorebirds that are dependent on their eggs.
August 28, 1997: Cape May Birding Hotline: "HORSESHOE CRAB ALERT -- WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP"
The public comment period for the new regulations in New Jersey is August 18th through September 17th. Your written comments 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.
July 29, 1997: Gov. Whitman announces new regulations
Governor Whitman announced new regulations for New Jersey which ban netting, trawling, or dredging for horseshoe crabs. Hand harvest in now limited to two days/week in back bay areas in May and June with a 100 crab daily limit. Only crabbers who previously held crab permits or eel or conch licenses for 2 of the past four years and reported their catch will be eligible. There will be a public hearing on these new regulations on September 4th, no location has been announced yet.

What You Can Do to Help

You can help by calling or writing to participants of the above regulatory processes to express your support for harvest regulations that will maintain horseshoe crabs at a level that supports the shorebirds that depend on their eggs. The names, addresses, and phone numbers of suggested people to contact are provided below:

Governor Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey
(609) 292-6000 or Office of the Governor, CN001, Trenton, NJ 08625
Governor Thomas Carper of Delaware
(302) 739-4101 or Tatnall Building, Dover, DE 19901
Governor George Allen of Virginia
(804) 786-2211 or State Capitol, Richmond, VA 23212
Governor Parris Glendening of Maryland
(410) 974-3901 or State House, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21404
Mr. Jack Dunnigan, Executive Director, ASMFC
ASMFC, 1444 Eye Street NW, 6th floor, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Mr. John Field, Anadromous Species Coordinator, ASMFC
(202) 289-6400 x301 or ASMFC, 1444 Eye Street NW, 6th floor, Washington, D.C. 20005.

You can contact the following individuals for an update and model letters:

Gerald Winegrad, American Bird Conservancy
(202) 778-9666 or gww@abcbirds.org
Rich Kane, New Jersey Audubon
(908) 766-5787 or njas@superlink.net

There will also be public meetings associated with the above regulatory processes that you can attend to express your opinions. Find out more about the processes for the above states and ASMFC and stay involved.

The Horseshoe Crabs of Delaware Bay