Bill > A04622

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) authority to regulate crab management until December 31, 2027, with a significant change in how horseshoe crabs are handled. The bill prohibits taking horseshoe crabs for commercial or biomedical purposes from New York state waters, effectively ending the commercial and biomedical harvesting of these creatures. However, the bill allows for exceptions when horseshoe crabs are taken for bona fide scientific or educational purposes, such as by public or not-for-profit zoos and aquaria, as determined by the commissioner through specific rules and regulations. The bill modifies existing environmental conservation law to remove previous language about commercial crab permits that included horseshoe crabs and adjusts the regulatory framework for crab management. Notably, while the prohibition on horseshoe crab harvesting will take effect on January 1, 2026, the rest of the bill's provisions will take effect immediately. This legislation aims to protect horseshoe crab populations, which play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and have historically been harvested for biomedical research and commercial fishing.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4622