Advocates ask NJ to enforce state moratorium on horseshoe crab harvesting

Key points

• Limuli Laboratories in Cape May County harvests thousands of horseshoe crabs yearly for biomedical endotoxin testing
• Environmental groups are demanding New Jersey enforce its horseshoe crab harvesting moratorium
• Horseshoe crabs are essential to coastal ecosystems and serve as a food source for migratory shorebirds
• The biomedical industry relies on horseshoe crab blood for pharmaceutical safety testing
• State regulators must balance conservation concerns with medical research and industry demands

FAQ

Why are horseshoe crabs important to New Jersey?

Horseshoe crabs play a crucial role in New Jersey's coastal ecosystems and serve as a vital food source for migratory shorebirds like red knots. Their decline threatens both the marine environment and the species that depend on them.

What is endotoxin testing and why use horseshoe crabs?

Endotoxin testing ensures pharmaceuticals and medical devices are safe for human use by detecting bacterial contamination. Horseshoe crab blood contains Limulus Amebocyte Lysate, which is highly sensitive to endotoxins and remains the gold standard for this critical safety test.

Does New Jersey have a horseshoe crab harvesting moratorium?

Yes, New Jersey has implemented a moratorium on horseshoe crab harvesting, but environmentalists argue the state is not adequately enforcing it against commercial operations like those conducted by companies in Cape May County.