DEP PRESS OFFICE Trenton, NJ 08625-0402 NEWS Christine Todd Whitman, Governor Robert C. Shinn, Jr., Commissioner RELEASE: 7/29/97 CONTACT: AMY COLLINGS OR SHARON A. SOUTHARD STATEWIDE 97/149 609-984-1795 OR 609-292-2994 GOVERNOR WHITMAN LIMITS HARVEST OF HORSESHOE CRABS The Whitman Administration is establishing new restrictions on the harvest of horseshoe crabs to protect the migratory shorebirds which depend on the crab eggs for food, and to help preserve this unique species. Governor Whitman imposed a 50-day ban on the harvest of the crabs on May 30, in response to reports of sharp declines in the number of crabs, and the number of birds which stop in the Delaware Bay area each spring to eat the crab eggs in order to complete their journey from Argentina to the Arctic breeding grounds. "After extensive review of the statistics, and much discussion, it's clear we need to assure a food supply for the spring migration of shorebirds, and ensure the future of the crabs, and the horseshoe crabbing industry as well," said Governor Whitman. "We simply cannot allow the depletion of this very precious natural resource." The new restrictions limit horseshoe crab harvesting to Tuesdays and Thursdays in May and June, in only the back-bay areas, with a 100-crab daily limit per crabber, who may only harvest the crabs by hand. Additionally, the state Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife will only license horseshoe crabbers who previously held crab permits and eel or conch licenses for at least two years during the past four years, and who reported their catches to the division. No netting, trawling or dredging will be allowed at any time of year. This eliminates the fall crab harvest which last year accounted for 60 percent of the annual harvest. "These restrictions will eliminate mass harvesting of the species," said State Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn. "We believe this is a prudent course of action, and welcome public comment on this conservation plan." The plan will take effect immediately, but will be published as a regulatory proposal in the "New Jersey Register" with a 30-day comment period. The plan subsequently may be modified in response to comments received. Additionally, Shinn noted that DEP is spending money to expedite studying the issue and will continue to work with the crabbers, Delaware's Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Marine Fisheries Council, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "We have had discussions with both the states of Delaware and Maryland and have agreed to a joint, technical meeting and to work cooperatively on a regional approach to the maximum extent possible," said Shinn. The states also have requested the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission expeditiously become a partner in the development of a regional coastwide plan. "We appreciate the cooperation of the crabbers as we attempt to ensure the viability of the birds, the crabs and the fishing and tourism industries which depend on them," Shinn added, noting that there was extensive compliance with the 60-day ban this spring. "We also want to thank the New Jersey State Marine Fisheries Council for their previous work and commitment to the horseshoe crab resource in passing regulations to reduce the harvest, and the destruction of the migrating shorebird population." The Delaware Bay is one of the three most important feeding grounds in the world for migratory shore birds. Three of the six major species of migratory bird that feed there each spring have declined by more than 25 percent in the last 10 years. In the last five years, the number of horseshoe crabs in the bay has decreased 75 percent, and the number of eggs have declined from one million per square meter in 1991 to less than one hundred thousand per square meter in 1996. At the same time, the reported number of horseshoe crabs harvested has increased in the last five years from under 100,000 baywide, to over 800,000 last year. In developing the conservation plan, state officials analyzed clam dredge sample data as suggested by crabbers, which provided information consistent with previous statistics showing a decline in the crab population. Similar data from Delaware were also analyzed, along with preliminary figures from the 1997 harvest, all of which were consistent with prior findings.