endangered species

Christmas Comes Early for Horseshoe Crabs! Governor Hochul Signs Landmark Legislation to Protect Horseshoe Crabs

 
 

CCE applauds Governor Hochul for signing the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act which will phase out harvesting horseshoe crabs from New York waters.

For immediate release: December 20, 2025
For more information, contact:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 516-390-7150, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org

Albany, NY – Governor Hochul has signed the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, which prohibits the taking of horseshoe crabs from state waters for commercial and biomedical uses.  The bill will phase out taking horseshoe crabs over a three-year time frame and completely banning the antiquated practice by 2029.  Horseshoe crabs are a keystone species in the food web that have walked the earth for 350 million years, but populations are in decline in the Northeast. This decline also threatens many species that depend on horseshoe crab eggs for food including several bird species and fish such as striped bass, weakfish, flounder and more.   The Senate and Assembly passed legislation for the last two years that would prevent the taking of this crucial species for commercial or biomedical uses. The Governor vetoed the bill last year. This year, recent data shows further declines in horseshoe crab populations specifically in Long Island Sound.  By signing the bill, New York has joined efforts with both New Jersey who banned harvesting in 2008 and Connecticut who banned it in 2024. 

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, issued the following statement:
“Christmas came early for the Horseshoe Crabs! This is an amazing holiday gift, and Governor Hochul has given us a big reason to celebrate! Horseshoe crabs have walked the Earth since the time of the dinosaurs, and we want to make sure they don’t go extinct. The Horseshoe Crab Protection Act will prevent the taking of horseshoe crab for commercial and biomedical purposes, allowing horseshoe crab populations to rebound and New York to protect this historic species for future generations. This is an incredible holiday gift to our ecosystem and to the communities who love this important species.   CCE applauds Governor Hochul, Senator Holyman and Assemblywoman Glick , for working together with environmental stakeholders, and scientific experts to ensure that the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act was signed into law this year.”

Long Islanders Call on Gov. Hochul to Sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill into Law

Long Islanders Call on Gov. Hochul to Sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill into Law

Will New York Governor Kathy Hochul sign or again veto a bill to protect horseshoe crabs that, by large majorities, passed again in the State Legislature earlier this year? Hochul vetoed the same bill last year.

Don’t be crabby, environmental groups tell Hochul

Don’t be crabby, environmental groups tell Hochul

Northport Harbor was the backdrop for a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at which a coalition of environmental groups asked Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation to protect the horseshoe crab in New York State. 

Advocates urge Gov. Hochul to sign bill to save horseshoe crabs

Advocates urge Gov. Hochul to sign bill to save horseshoe crabs

Environmentalists are calling on New York state lawmakers to save the horseshoe crab.

Advocates rallied in Northport on Tuesday to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the “Horseshoe Crab Protection Act,” which would ban taking the animals from state waters for commercial or medical use.

Young sea turtle Elton released at Coney Island, a beacon of hope for conservation

Young sea turtle Elton released at Coney Island, a beacon of hope for conservation

CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) — A young sea turtle named Elton made a swift and inspiring return to the wild waters off Coney Island Wednesday, marking an encouraging moment for sea turtle conservation efforts.

The endangered Kemp’s ridley turtle was found cold-stunned on a Massachusetts beach in December 2024 and has since undergone rehabilitation thanks to dedicated partnerships and community support.

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton Helps Release Rescued Endangered Sea Turtle Back into Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton Helps Release Rescued Endangered Sea Turtle Back into Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island

Event highlights the ocean health benefits of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.

Coney Island, NY, Aug. 6, 2025—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton joined the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), elected officials, and environmental leaders to release a rehabilitated Kemp’s ridley sea turtle back into the Atlantic Ocean outside the New York Aquarium. The event celebrated the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) that helps protect and restore the health of the state’s ocean and coasts.

Rescued Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Elton makes splashy return to ocean off Coney Island

Rescued Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Elton makes splashy return to ocean off Coney Island

Elton, an endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was the star of the show on Coney Island Beach on Aug. 6, as he was released into the Atlantic Ocean after a monthslong rehabilitation. 

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