April 27, 2007

Dear Horseshoe Crab Permit Holder,

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.

Based upon concerns that bait harvest in the Pleasant Bay/Little Pleasant Bay complex had reached a level that may not be sustainable, on July 14, 2006 , the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) implemented a mid-season closure of the complex to horseshoe crab harvest for use as bait through the remainder of 2006. The Pleasant Bay/Little Pleasant Bay complex includes Chatham Harbor North, Pochet Creek, Round Cove, Bassing Harbor, Ryders Cove, Crows Pond, Frostfish Creek, Muddy Creek, Quanset Pond, Namequoit River and Paw Wah Pond (see map).

Staff biologists have compiled catch statistics and examined other relevant data concerning the state-wide horseshoe crab fishery. We have determined a rise in bait landings in the Bay over the past two years (2005- 2006) is not sustainable. Therefore MarineFisheries has taken actions to maintain an indefinite closure to the harvest of Pleasant Bay horseshoe crabs for use as bait but allow continued harvest for biomedical and other scientific use (322 CMR 6.34 provides for addressing local depletion through closures of discrete areas).

For further information regarding horseshoe crab statistics leading to this MarineFisheries action please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries and look under our “Spotlight” section.

Sincerely,

Dan McKiernan
Deputy Director