Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk applauds New York law protecting horseshoe crabs

the maritime aquarium, norwalk, connecticut

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is praising New York’s newly enacted Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, calling it a significant step toward protecting one of Long Island Sound’s most ancient and ecologically vital species.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation, Assembly Bill A4997, into law this month, setting in motion a three-year phaseout of horseshoe crab harvesting in New York waters for commercial and biomedical purposes. The law culminates in a full ban by 2029, aligning New York with neighboring Connecticut and New Jersey, which have already enacted similar protections.

Aquarium officials say the move is especially important for Long Island Sound, where recent research shows horseshoe crab populations have declined sharply in recent decades. The species plays a critical role in the Sound’s coastal ecosystems, particularly along Long Island’s beaches and tidal flats, where migratory shorebirds rely on horseshoe crab eggs to refuel during long journeys.

“This law represents a major victory for science-based conservation,” said Jason Patlis, president and chief executive officer of The Maritime Aquarium. “Our research has documented severe declines in horseshoe crab populations in Long Island Sound, and this decisive action by New York will help reverse that trend.”

Studies conducted by The Maritime Aquarium and its partners indicate that horseshoe crab numbers in the Sound are among the lowest in the region. The decline threatens not only the species itself but also the broader food web, including fish and birds that depend on the nutrient-rich eggs deposited on sandy beaches each spring.

Dr. Sarah Crosby, the aquarium’s vice president of conservation, said the impacts ripple far beyond a single species.

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“Horseshoe crabs are a cornerstone of estuarine ecosystems,” Crosby said. “Their decline is alarming not only for the crabs themselves, but for the cascading effects on birds, fish and other wildlife that depend on them. This legislation is a critical step toward restoring balance in our coastal habitats.”

The aquarium has made horseshoe crab conservation a strategic priority, particularly in Long Island Sound, through long-term population studies published in Scientific Reports and The Biological Bulletin. Researchers are also working to identify the most successful breeding areas around the Sound in partnership with the national Horseshoe Crab Recovery Coalition.

Public engagement has played a key role as well. Through community science initiatives such as Project Limulus, volunteers assist with tagging and tracking horseshoe crabs during the spring spawning season on beaches throughout the region. Education and outreach programs at the aquarium reach thousands of students and visitors each year, connecting local communities to the health of the Sound.

Advocacy efforts, including postcard campaigns and partnerships with environmental organizations across Long Island Sound, helped build momentum for the legislation. Aquarium officials credited dozens of regional partners on both sides of the Sound for their collaboration.

By joining Connecticut and New Jersey in banning harvest, New York strengthens a regional approach to protecting horseshoe crabs and the ecosystems they support. Aquarium officials said coordinated action is essential in a shared body of water like Long Island Sound, where species move freely across state boundaries.

The Maritime Aquarium said it will continue to lead research, advocacy and public education efforts aimed at ensuring horseshoe crabs remain a fixture of Long Island Sound’s shoreline for generations to come.

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Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk applauds New York law protecting horseshoe crabs