Tell Our NYS Legislators to Protect Horseshoe Crabs Tell Our NYS Legislators to Protect Horseshoe CrabsRead or Edit the Petition Dear Legislators, Horseshoe crabs have existed for over 350 million years and are a vital part of our ecosystem. Unfortunately, the population in New York has plummeted in recent years. Horseshoe crabs have been over-harvested for use as bait, chopped up for eel and whelk fisheries, while pharmaceutical industries bleed them for biomedical research. Habitat loss caused by human development and rising sea levels have also contributed to the decline. I urge you to pass the act (S.4289/A.4997) to amend the Environmental Conservation law, in relation to extending certain provisions relating to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s regulation of crabs, and to prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes. Protecting horseshoe crabs is critical to maintaining a healthy and diverse ecosystem. Their eggs serve as a vital food source to numerous migratory birds, including state- and federally-threatened species like the red knot. This migratory bird population has suffered precipitous declines and could become extirpated from New York State if horseshoe crabs disappear. Sharks, sportfish, sea turtles, and other species also feed on horseshoe crabs and could be negatively impacted. Neighboring states have already adopted bans. It was both disappointing and embarrassing that last year New York failed to enact the same protections that have already been adopted in New Jersey and Connecticut, and it is clear that Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision was not based on science. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s management strategy has shown little, if any, improvement in the overall population. We do not need more data; we need action! Waiting any longer to act places the horseshoe crab population in severe jeopardy. New York State can and must do better! This new proposed legislation will allow New York to join Connecticut and other states’ efforts as part of a unified approach within our shared waters to restore the population and ensure the survival of this crucial species for generations to come. As valued members of our state Legislature, I urge you to please co-sponsor and support the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act today.You can add formatting using markdown syntax - read more Add me to your mailing list BCC yourself Sign Now 4 signatures Share this with your friends:
