ASMFC RELEASES DRAFT OF HORSESHOE CRAB ADDENDUM IV

The Commonwealth will not host an ASMFC hearing on Draft Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crab but is making the following ASMFC press release on the addendum available for those interested in further details. Please see the ASMFC press releases below and visit www.asmfc.org for further information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS	CONTACT: Tina Berger
March 10, 2006	(202) 289-6400

Mid-Atlantic States Schedule Public Meetings
on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum

Washington, DC – Mid-Atlantic States from Connecticut through Virginia have scheduled their public meetings to gather comment on Draft Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Horseshoe Crab. New Jersey will also be conducting public meetings, although the details are not available yet. For more information, please the contact Peter Himchak, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, at (609) 748-2020.

The dates, times and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday, March 28, 2006; 7:00 PM Marine Headquarters; Boating Education Center 333 Ferry Road Old Lyme, Connecticut Contact: David Simpson (860) 434-6043	Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Monday, April 3, 2006; 7:00 PM Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium 89 Kings Highway Dover, Delaware Contact: Roy Miller (302) 739-3441
New York Department of Environmental Control Wednesday, March 29, 2006; 7:00 PM Brookhaven Town Hall Auditorium 1 Independence Hill Farmington, New York Contact: Kim McKown (631) 444-0454	Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tuesday, March 28, 2006; 6:30 PM Ocean Pines Library 11107 Cathell Road Berlin, Maryland Contact: Howard King (410) 260-8281
Virginia Marine Resources Commission Tuesday, April 4, 2006; 6:00 PM 2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor Newport News, Virginia Contact: Jack Travelstead (757) 247-2247

The Draft Addendum proposes a number of options to reduce or eliminate harvest of horseshoe crabs of Delaware Bay origin. It responds to public concern regarding the horseshoe crab populations and their ecological role in the Delaware Bay. While there are a number of scientific reviews on the status of horseshoe crabs, there is no peer-reviewed coastwide estimate of horseshoe crab abundance. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebird Technical Committee has indicated that the red knot, one of many shorebird species that feed upon horseshoe crab eggs, is at low population levels. Red knots have shown no sign of recovery, despite a four-fold reduction in horseshoe crab landings since 1998. The Shorebird Technical Committee concluded a moratorium of horseshoe crab harvest could provide more eggs for the birds to feed upon. The Board initiated the addendum process to evaluate further restrictions on crab harvest in the Delaware Bay region. The area is considered the epicenter of horseshoe crab production along the coast as well as a critical stopover area for many migratory shorebirds including the red knot.

The Management Board will meet in May 2006 to review public comment, select the management measures to be contained in the Addendum, and consider its final approval. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Addendum either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on April 17, 2006 and should be forwarded to Braddock Spear, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202)289-6051 (fax) or comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Horseshoe Crab). For more information, please contact Braddock Spear at (202)289-6400 or bspear@asmfc.org.