Home / Environment / NY Bans Horseshoe Crab Catch by 2029
NY Bans Horseshoe Crab Catch by 2029
1 Jan
Summary
- New York will phase out horseshoe crab catch starting in 2026.
- The ban aims to protect vital keystone species and dependent shore birds.
- Catch will decrease by 25% annually until a full ban in 2029.
New York State will implement a phased ban on catching horseshoe crabs for bait and biomedical purposes, with a complete prohibition set to take effect in 2029. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation, which mandates a 25% reduction in catch in 2026, followed by 50% in 2027 and 75% in 2028. This approach provides the commercial fishing industry with a four-year transition period.
Governor Hochul had previously vetoed a similar bill due to concerns about the rapid timeline for industry adaptation. The new law aims to protect horseshoe crabs, described as vital "living fossils" essential to New York's environment and other marine species, including the red knot shore bird whose populations were severely impacted by past overfishing.
This New York law follows similar bans in Connecticut and New Jersey, extending protection across the Mid-Atlantic region. While some states still permit horseshoe crab harvesting, New York's decisive action is seen by conservationists as a significant step toward ecological recovery and preserving this historic species for future generations.
