The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is holding a public meeting on Thursday, May 3 rd(5PM-7 PM) to discuss its rationale to continue the closure of the horseshoe crab bait fishery in the Pleasant Bay/Little Pleasant Bay Complex (see map on back). The 2007 closure is effective Tuesday, May 1, 2007 . Part of our presentation will include explanation of the regulatory process followed to complete this action, the public’s ability to participate in regulatory process, and distribution of access rights to public resources. The public meeting will be held at the Captain’s Quarters Motel and Conference Center , 5000 State Highway 6, North Eastham , MA (800) 327-7769.

This action is necessary to ensure the sustainable management of the horseshoe crab fishery in the Pleasant Bay system. Note that this closure does not affect the harvest conducted for biomedical uses, which may continue, because by regulation, harvesters in this fishery must return all crabs back to the area of capture after their use in biomedical applications.

MarineFisheries has examined the landings from the area in 2006 and has determined the substantial increase in bait horseshoe crab landings may be unsustainable; horseshoe crab landings in the bait fishery increased from a reported 194 crabs in 2001 to over 41,000 in 2006. Reports of an apparent decline in the number of large crabs available in Pleasant Bay after the spring fishery of 2006 warrants this action.

MarineFisheries will continue to monitor the status of the fishery in Pleasant Bay as well as others along the coast. MarineFisheries is investigating the potential for improved surveys to better manage these local fisheries to ensure sustainable harvest.