Bill > A04997

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 the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes throughout the state's waters, with an exception for bona fide scientific or educational purposes (such as those conducted by public or not-for-profit zoos and aquaria). The legislation modifies existing environmental conservation law by removing horseshoe crabs from the general crab management regulations and creating a specific prohibition on their harvest. The bill also clarifies that commercial crab fishing requires a permit, with "commercial purposes" defined as taking more than fifty crabs in a day or selling/bartering caught crabs. The new provisions will take effect immediately, with the specific horseshoe crab restrictions becoming operative on January 1, 2026. This change aims to protect horseshoe crab populations, which are important to marine ecosystems and have historically been used in biomedical research and commercial fishing.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4997