An Act to end the taking of horseshoe crabs for bait

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 14 co-sponsors

Prohibits harvesting horseshoe crabs and eggs for bait in coastal waters, with limited permits for education/science and penalties of $25 per crab.

Accompanied a new draft, see H5266

Overview

H.898 seeks to prohibit the harvesting of horseshoe crabs and their eggs for use as bait in coastal waters of Massachusetts. The bill would add a new Section 107 to Chapter 130 of the General Laws, establishing a prohibition on taking horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) for bait, with limited exceptions for educational or scientific purposes and incidental capture during legal fishing activities. It also creates penalties and directs regulatory follow-up through formal rulemaking.

What the bill would do

Prohibit taking horseshoe crabs or their eggs from coastal waters to be used as bait.

Allow the director to issue permits for harvesting horseshoe crabs for educational or scientific purposes, provided such harvesting would not harm the coastal population.

Permit incidental taking during lawful fishing operations if the horseshoe crabs are returned immediately to coastal waters unharmed.

Impose a penalty of $25 for each horseshoe crab taken from coastal waters. The penalty does not apply to possessing a cast-off or molted shell (exoskeleton) of a horseshoe crab.

Require the Division to promulgate rules and regulations to enforce the provisions of this section under Chapter 30A.

Key provisions and details

Species affected: Horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus).

Scope: Applies to harvesting of horseshoe crabs and eggs for bait from coastal waters.

Permits: Director may authorize harvesting for educational or scientific purposes if it is determined not to harm the population.

Incidental takes: Allowed if crabs are returned unharmed to coastal waters; does not count as a violation.

Penalties: $25 per crab harvested. Exoskeletons are expressly exempt from penalties.

Enforcement and rulemaking: The Division must promulgate rules to implement the section.

Who would be affected

Commercial harvesters and bait suppliers who currently collect horseshoe crabs or eggs for bait.

Recreational fishers who might otherwise use horseshoe crabs as bait.

Coastal communities dependent on fishing industries.

Educational and scientific institutions that might seek permits for non-harmful, targeted harvesting for research or teaching.

State regulators and enforcement agencies responsible for fisheries management.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

Referred to: Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) on February 27, 2025.

Legislative actions note: Senate concurred on the same date as referral in the bill’s actions; House Bill docket indicates the bill is H.898.

Hearing: Scheduled for October 21, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-1.

Related bill: HD 2926 (identified as replacing the version currently under consideration).

Potential impact and considerations

Wildlife protection: Strengthens protection of horseshoe crab populations by removing bait-related harvesting.

Industry adjustments: May require bait suppliers and fishers to shift to alternative bait sources or methods; potential short-term economic impact for sectors relying on horseshoe crabs.

Enforcement: New penalties and regulatory framework would require monitoring and compliance efforts by the Division.

Research and education: Permits for educational/scientific harvesting provide a narrowly defined avenue for non-harmful activities.

This summary covers the bill’s purpose, core provisions, affected stakeholders, and key procedural milestones to date.

Bill