Local environmental organizations are decrying Governor Kathy Hochul’s Dec. 15 decision to veto the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, legislation designed to curb the harvest of New York’s horseshoe crab population. Advocates warn the veto will exacerbate the already precarious status of these ancient creatures and ripple through the ecosystems that depend on them.
The act, which passed the New York State Assembly and Senate in June, sought to prohibit the harvesting of horseshoe crabs for commercial purposes. However, in her veto message, Hochul cited concerns from stakeholders and suggested leaving regulation to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
“This was a gut punch,” said Christine Suter, director of Friends of the Bay, a nonprofit advocating for Long Island Sound’s environmental health. “Hochul received over 40,000 correspondences urging her to sign the bill, including a joint letter of support from 60 environmental organizations and one from Jane Goodall. To ignore that kind of public outcry is really devastating.”
Horseshoe crab populations in New York have been declining steadily and show no signs of recovery, according to assessments by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Since 2019, the state has consistently been ranked as having a “poor” stock status for horseshoe crabs, a condition unique to New York along the East Coast.
Horseshoe crabs play a pivotal role in marine ecosystems, particularly as a food source for migratory birds such as the red knot. These shorebirds rely on horseshoe crab eggs to fuel their long journeys to Arctic breeding grounds.
“The decline in red knot sighting on Long Island is directly tied to the depletion of horseshoe crab eggs,” said Suter.
Additionally, the species faces threats from habitat loss and harvesting for bait. While New York does not allow horseshoe crabs to be harvested for biomedical purposes, their blood, which contains a valuable enzyme used to detect bacterial contamination, has driven overharvesting in other states.
Hochul’s decision to rely on the DEC for management has left environmentalists skeptical. She also claimed that the harvesting of their blood was essential for biomedical practices in the state, even though Suter asserts that that’s not the case.
“The DEC is understaffed, and with over 200 miles of coastline, enforcement of existing regulations is nearly impossible,” Suter said. “What’s interesting is that in New York, there is no allowance for harvesting horseshoe crabs for biomedical use.
The DEC permits the annual harvest of 150,000 horseshoe crabs, primarily for bait in eel and whelk fisheries. Advocates argue this number is unsustainable given the species’ late maturity, with individuals only reaching reproductive age at around 10 years.
The DEC has recently implemented some measures, such as restricting harvesting during peak spawning events tied to lunar cycles. Still, Suter emphasized that without comprehensive enforcement, these regulations are insufficient.
“For humans to drive the extinction of a species that has survived five mass extinctions would be unforgivable,” said Suter, noting that horseshoe crabs have existed for 450 million years. “Humans have depended on them for our survival, so it really feels like we owe it to them to ensure theirs.”
The bill’s proponents also highlight its regional significance.
“New Jersey and Connecticut have already enacted protections for horseshoe crabs,” said Suter. “It makes no sense to protect them on one side of the Long Island Sound and not the other.”
Suter said advocates are also frustrated by what they see as Hochul’s prioritization of commercial fishing interests. According to Suter, the fishing industry has claimed there are no viable alternatives to using horseshoe crabs as bait, though alternative bait products and practices are under development.
Environmental organizations are regrouping to strategize their next moves. Efforts may include lobbying lawmakers to reintroduce the bill and raising public awareness about the ecological importance of horseshoe crabs.
“We need to circle the wagons and figure out what comes next,” Suter said.
Suter remains cautiously optimistic about the potential for change in the biomedical industry, where synthetic alternatives to horseshoe crab blood have begun gaining acceptance. Recently, the U.S. Pharmacopeia approved guidelines for using synthetic tests, a step advocates hope will reduce demand for the crabs in other states.
“This fight is far from over,” said Suter. “We owe it to this species and the ecosystems they support to do everything in our power to ensure their survival.”
