903R94021
CBP/TRS 122/94
December 1994
Chesapeake Bay
and Atlantic Coast
Horseshoe Crab
Fishery Management Plan
TD
225
.C54
H673
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Fujon III !r formation Resource
Center (JPM52)
?M Chestnut St-cet
Phcociobiiio, PA 19107
Agreement Commitment Report 1994
Chesapeake Bay Program
Printed on
Recycled Paper
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Regional Center foi Environmental Information
US EPA Region III
11,50 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast
Horseshoe Crab
Fishery Management Plan
Agreement Commitment Report
U S. Eiwisoamental Protection Agency
Region HI Information Resource
Certsr (3PM52)
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
October 1994
Edited By Nancy H. Butowski
Printed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Chesapeake Bay Program
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Adoption Statement
We, the undersigned, adopt the 1994 Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast Horseshoe
Crab Fishery Management Plan, as a continuing effort to fulfill the Living Resources
Commitment of the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement.
We agree to accept the Horseshoe Crab Plan as a guide to protecting the resource in the
Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast, insuring its continued role in the ecology of coastal
ecosystems, and providing for its commercial, recreational and medical usage over time We
further agree to work together to implement, by the dates set forth in the Plan, the management
actions recommended to address its ecological value, stock status, the fishery, and habitat
considerations.
We recognize the need for long-term, stable financial support and human resources for the
task of enhancing the horseshoe crab resource. In addition, we direct the Living Resources
Subcommittee to review and update the Horseshoe Crab Plan yearly and to prepare an annual
report addressing the progress made in achieving the Plan's management recommendations
Signatures
For the Commonwealth of Virginia
For the State of Maryland
For the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
For the United Slates of America
For the District of Columbia
For the Chesapeake Bay Commission
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ' iii
THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN PROCESS iv
SECTION 1. BIOLOGICAL BACKGROUND 1
Biological Profile 4
The Fishery 5
Habitat Issues 11
Stock Status 12
Current Laws and Regulations 12
References 14
SECTION 2. HORSESHOE CRAB MANAGEMENT 16
Goal and Objectives 16
Ecological Value 16
Stock Status 18
The Fishery 18
The Habitat 19
Implementation Matrix 21
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Horseshoe crab landings from the NE Atlantic region,
1962-1992 7
2. Dockside value of horseshoe crabs from the NE region,
1962-1992 8
3. Maryland commercial horseshoe crab landings and dockside
value 9
4. Virginia commercial horseshoe crab landings and dockside
value 10
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast Horseshoe Crab Fishery
Management Plan was developed under the direction of the Fisheries
Management Plan Workgroup. Staff from the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources (MDNR), Tidewater Administration, Fisheries
Division were responsible for writing the plan and addressing
comments on the draft versions. Support was provided by staff from
the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). Thanks are due to
members of the Living Resources Subcommittee, the Virginia Finfish
Subcommittee, and to the public who reviewed and commented on the
plan.
Members of the Fisheries Management Workgroup were:
Mr. K.A. Carpenter, Potomac River Fisheries Commission
Mr. James O. Drummond, Maryland citizen representative
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