Date: 5/5/25 2:19 pm From: Diana F. <diana.fru...> Subject: [Arlington Birds] Massachusetts Legislation to Ban Harvesting of Horseshoe Crabs for Bait
Fyi
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'John Nelson' via Association of Massachusetts Bird Clubs <
<association-of-massachusetts-bird-clubs...>
Date: Mon, May 5, 2025, 3:37 PM
Subject: [AMBC Google Group] Massachusetts Legislation to Ban Harvesting of
Horseshoe Crabs for Bait
To: Massachusetts Assoc of Bird Clubs <
<association-of-massachusetts-bird-clubs...>
Association members,
Below is a call for action from the American Bird Conservancy re.
Massachusetts House bill H.898:
Bill H.898, currently under consideration by the Massachusetts Legislature,
would ban the harvest of horseshoe crabs for bait. This legislation builds
on existing protections that prohibit harvesting during the spawning season
(April 15 – June 7) and takes the next vital step toward conserving this
ancient species year-round.
American horseshoe crabs are a keystone species, playing a crucial role in
the Atlantic coastal ecosystem from the Gulf of Maine to Florida. Their
nutrient-dense eggs fuel the long migratory journeys of shorebirds like the
federally threatened Red Knot, as well as other species including the
Piping Plover and Semipalmated Sandpiper.
But decades of overfishing and climate factors have caused a sharp decline
in horseshoe crab populations in Massachusetts, which is why it is crucial
to support bills like this one. Will you take action now?
Other states are already taking action — New Jersey has banned commercial
bait harvest of horseshoe crabs, and Connecticut has prohibited
hand-harvesting. It's time for Massachusetts to join them and be a leader
in coastal conservation!
Take Action Now: Urge your Massachusetts state legislators to support H.898
and help ensure a future for horseshoe crabs and the coastal wildlife that
depends on them.
Our Association discussed the importance of horseshoe crabs for shorebirds
during our panel on shorebird conservation at our 4-18-24 AMBC meeting.
Along with representatives from Mass Audubon, I testified last year at a
public hearing in Gloucester held by the Mass Division of Fish and
Wildlife, which agreed to limit but not ban the harvesting of horseshoe
crabs. Recently, in support of the current proposed bill, I signed on to
letters to state legislators organized by the Southeast Mass Pine Barrens
Alliance. Though I am hardly an expert on horseshoe crabs, I also agreed to
testify at a public hearing in support of the bill, and I would like to be
able to say with confidence that our clubs support the bill. Please urge
your club members to contact state legislators in support of the proposed
bill.
