Subject: Horseshoe Crab Harvest Moratorium

A continuation of the moratorium on the harvest of horseshoe crabs has been
proposed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to aid in
preventing further declines of red knots, and to promote their recovery.

Intensive research by Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists shows that
the red knot population is now in worse condition than two years ago. The
number of birds is lower, their ability to gain weight has decreased, and
the density of crab eggs has shown no improvement. At least two other
shorebirds that rely on horseshoe crab eggs (semipalmated sandpiper and
ruddy turnstone) are now showing a similar inability to gain sufficient
weight.

Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda has written a letter to
the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council explaining the need for DEP's
proposed continuation of the horseshoe crab harvest moratorium.

The letter in its entirety, and the Rule Proposal to continue the
moratorium, are linked from
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2008/hcmoratorium.htm on the
division's Web site.                  

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