New York has taken a major step to protect horseshoe crabs with the signing of new statewide legislation.
Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick announced that her bill, A.4997/S.4289, is now law and will prohibit the harvesting of horseshoe crabs from New York waters.
The law phases out the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes over a three-year transition period. A full ban will take effect beginning in 2029.
“Horseshoe crabs have survived mass extinctions and dramatic changes to our planet, but they are now struggling to survive the impacts of human activity,” Glick said. She pointed to overharvesting for bait and biomedical use as a major factor driving population declines.
Supporters say the legislation protects a keystone species that has existed for more than 400 million years. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has labeled the horseshoe crab population as “poor” since 2019.
The decline of horseshoe crabs also affects other wildlife. Migratory shorebirds like the Red Knot rely on horseshoe crab eggs to refuel during long migrations. In New York, the Red Knot is listed as a threatened species, while species such as the American eel are considered of special concern.
Glick, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation, credited environmental advocates and Gov. Kathy Hochul for supporting the measure. She said the law reflects a commitment to protecting fragile coastal ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
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