Letter to the Editor: Reversal of horseshoe crab harvest ban will negatively affect imperiled wildlife

Today, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will meet to discuss the findings of a new model on which it bases a proposal to reverse its previous position and lift the prohibition on the harvest of female horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay. This finding does not take into account that the red knot population is at its lowest ebb and that horseshoe crabs are showing no signs of sustained recovery from the past overharvest.

In response to this, a letter to the ASMFC was sent on behalf of New Jersey Audubon and the Defenders of Wildlife. In the letter, it was pointed out that the proposed framework revision puts ASMFC on track to violate the Endangered Species Act, based on the findings of new, untargeted surveys. This opens the question of whether the commission is willing to pick and choose which surveys it chooses to use to meet the objectives of self-interested parties, regardless of whether the surveys are purpose-designed to measure horseshoe crabs.

If the ASMFC follows through with its plan to allow for the expansion of the horseshoe crab bait harvest, neglecting the negative impact it will have on imperiled wildlife, it will demonstrate a lack of concern regarding compliance with the Endangered Species Act. In light of this, Delaware officials will need to decide if it is appropriate to rely on ASMFC recommendations for the setting of Delaware horseshoe crab policy.

Steve Cottrell

President, Delaware Audubon