Mr. Colvin reported that the Department was assessing public comment on its recommendations for horseshoe crab. The final rules, to be filed this week, would contain the following six points:

1. Individual state quotas would be allowed.
2. Increases in the biomedical harvest would not affect quotas.
3. Seasonal quotas and subdivisions of limits should prevent market manipulations.
4. There was no prospect of charging for these permits.
5. A high level of reporting would be required in response to the industry’s desire to extend the season.
6. A 72" width limit was imposed on dredges, but one individual who had been supplying conk fishermen with bait was grandfathered, since his dredge was larger than 72" but lacked teeth.

After 75% of the state’s annual commercial quota for horseshoe crabs had been harvested, possession would be limited to five crabs until 31 August. The final rule clarified that restrictions during closures applied to landing horseshoe crabs, not to possession. This would allow legal storage and use of crabs for bait. Councilor McBride moved that the Council recommend to DEC that it proceed with adoption of the emergency horseshoe crab regulations, as revised. The motion was approved 10:0.