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Speak Up for Red Knots - Moratorium Bill Signed! |
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Many of you watched the recent PBS
“Nature” documentary Crash: A Tale of
Two Species which revealed the
interconnected worlds of Horseshoe Crabs
and Red Knots. If you missed the air dates, you can view
PBS’s online supplement to the program .
The delicate, ecological relationship between Horseshoe
Crabs and Red Knots is vital to the survival of this amazing
shorebird species as it migrates between the Arctic and the tip
of South America each year. Nowhere is this inter-play more
evident than at Delaware Bay - the first WHSRN Site of
Hemispheric Importance.
Thus it is incredible that the New Jersey Marine
Fisheries Council lifted a state ban on horseshoe crab
harvesting and will allow a limited fishery in the Delaware
Bay this spring. The 5-4 vote will allow the harvest of
100,000 male horseshoe crabs, which will be chopped up and
used for bait. It will be the first harvest in two years.
Latest News!
A bill to ban Horseshoe Crab harvesting in New Jersey was introduced in the New Jersey state senate.
On March 25, 2008 -- Governor Corzine signed the horseshoe crab
moratorium bill.
Click to view NJ Audubon President Tom Gilmore's remarks at the signing ceremony. The video is interesting and provides insight to the process that brought about this critical moratorium.
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