ALBANY, NY – The Horseshoe Crab Safety Act has been signed by Governor Kathy Hochul after reaching a compromise with the Legislature that enables for a 3 yr section out – with a complete ban taking impact in 2029. Regardless of these modifications, we see this as an incredible win for horseshoe crabs and the birds that depend on them.
Over 2,800 Audubon members messaged the Governor in assist of this invoice. Because of you, horseshoe crabs, Purple Knots, and different migratory birds now all have a greater likelihood at survival.
Horseshoe crabs are underneath many threats, together with lack of habitat, warming coastal and marine waters, and overfishing. Their populations have declined drastically – together with in New York State – and this has put shorebirds in danger.
Purple Knots, one in every of our longest-distance migrants, have been listed as threatened by New York State and the federal authorities as a result of their dramatic inhabitants declines. These shorebirds depend on horseshoe crab eggs to gas their journey from the tip of South America to the Arctic Circle. Defending horseshoe crabs is one vital step we will take to make sure their survival.
After many years of advocacy, Audubon is proud to see New York be a part of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey in banning industrial harvests of horseshoe crabs.
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