NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10140
SPONSOR: Rules (Glick) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical
purposes
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this to extend the ability for DEC to regulate crabs and
to prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill would extend, for two years, until December 31,
2026, the ability for the department of environmental conservation to
fix by regulation measures for the management of crabs of any kind,
excluding horseshoe crabs. Prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs,
including for commercial and biomedical purposes and authorized the
commissioner, through rules and regulations, to allow the taking of
horseshoe crabs for education and scientific purposes.
JUSTIFICATION:
Horseshoe crabs have existed largely unchanged on Earth for over 400
million years. They are an integral part of the marine ecosystem; their
eggs are consumed by other animal species and they supply the energy
migratory shorebirds require, particularly the threatened Red Knot. The
horseshoe crab's unique ecological role is imperiled by their declining
population due to overharvesting for use as bait and for use of their
blood by the biomedical industry. In order for their population to grow,
New York must join neighboring coastal states in prohibiting the taking
of this ancient species.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect January 1, 2025
