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Dear ,
Senator Jeff Van Drew recently launched a media campaign in support of his legislation (S2376) to repeal the moratorium on horseshoe crab harvest in New Jersey, and Assemblyman Nelson Albano introduced the companion bill (A2653) on January 14th. You may have read Sen. Van Drew's Op-Ed in the Vineland Daily Journal or the Atlantic City Press. If not, a link is provided below.
In summary, Sen. Van Drew proposes that both the horseshoe crab and the endangered Red Knot would somehow benefit from a harvest of 100,000 male crabs in New Jersey. His argument is fundamentally flawed, because it is based on the ASMFC's assertion that any more than three male crabs per one female crab is unneeded and represents a harvestable excess. This ratio is arbitrary and is not entirely scientifically based.
Unfortunately, Sen. Van Drew believes the ASMFC's harvest recommendations are scientifically based. They are not. They ignore years of research by the NJ-based international consortium of shorebird scientists. They ignore the fact that numbers of both species continue to show that populations are still in considerable danger.
New Jersey Bayshore beaches - Reeds, Cooks, Heislerville, Fortescue, and more - are host to the annual phenomenon of horseshoe crab spawning and the feeding of thousands and thousands of migratory shorebirds, including the Red Knot. It is a source of inspiration and awe for any who witness it. CU Maurice River is deeply involved in the scientific recovery effort as our members volunteer in shorebird banding, horseshoe crab counts, and even provide much needed nourishment (dinner for 20-30 every night!) to the international scientists who gather every year for those few crucial weeks in spring.
It's time to make our voices heard in order to stop any action that would repeal the moratorium on horseshoe crab harvest. Here's what CU members can do:
1. Call Senator Van Drew's and Assemblyman Nelson Albano's office and tell them you're a member of CU Maurice River. Ask them to withdraw their bills based on the following:
a. The moratorium was put into place to ensure a plentiful supply of horseshoe crab eggs to encourage the survival of endangered Red Knots.
b. The moratorium is only to be lifted if there is evidence of a recovery in horseshoe crab populations on the New Jersey bayshore. There is no such evidence.
c. The ASMFC recommendations ignore ongoing studies that are being led by scientists in New Jersey. Senator Van Drew, please embrace the research that is being conducted in your home state.
d. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which caused significant loss of beach habitat in the spawning areas, the repeal of the harvest moratorium could be devastating to the crabs, even more so to the shorebirds, and especially to the already-endangered Red Knot.
Senator Van Drew and Assemblyman Albano share offices for District 1, so call one or all of the following numbers to make your voice heard:
(609) 465-0700 (Cape May Court House)
(856) 765-0891 (Millville)
(856) 696-7109 (Vineland)
Contact Senator Van Drew electronically via his website here.
Contact Assemblyman Albano electronically via his website here.
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In addition, Lillian and Jane are calling the legislators who originally supported the moratorium in 2008 to thank them and ask them to stand their ground. We will thank them on behalf of all our members
Recent Articles of Interest to CU Members
The following three articles include more insights on the importance of the moratorium. The fourth is Senator Van Drew's opinion letter, provided for your information.
Atlantic City Press Editorial, January 18
New Jersey Conservation Foundation Release, January 18:
http://njconservation.org/blog/?p=403
Star Ledger Article, January 17
Letter from Senator Van Drew, published in Vineland Daily Journal and Atlantic City Press, January 24th and January 28th, respectively:
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20130124/OPINION02/301240026/Allowing-crabs-birds-fishermen-survive
Background
As you know, CU Maurice River and its members were active supporters of the moratorium on horseshoe crab harvesting in New Jersey when it was made law in 2008. After years of over-fishing had decimated the crab population in NJ, the moratorium was put in place to allow for recovery and restoration of this 400-million year survivor, whose blood is used by pharmaceutical industries to ensure that their products are free of bacterial contamination and whose eggs provide critical nourishment to northbound shorebirds during the crabs' spawning season each spring. The health of the crab population was determined to be of vital importance to the survival of the endangered Red Knot, which is the subject of the research efforts on the Delaware Bay that CU Maurice River and its volunteers support annually. The moratorium is only to be lifted when there is strong scientific evidence of population recovery.
To make matters worse, these bills come at a time when a great natural tragedy caused by Hurricane Sandy has destroyed much of the shore habitat on which the horseshoe crabs depend for breeding. Scientists estimate that as much as 50 percent of prime horseshoe crab habitat has been lost in the Delaware Bay as a result of Hurricane Sandy, and efforts are underway to restore some of that habitat prior to the 2013 breeding season.
Please take action now. Thank you.
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