Illegal harvesting of horsechoe crabs could still be slammed with fines up to $ 25,000 but the authority now decided to bring few changes in the new law which would allow state officials and judges more flexibility when assessing the penalties. According to environmental advocates they’re concerned because the amending bill (S-1575), which would allow DEP officials to make other exceptions for taking crabs.
It is said that beside a set range of fines, municipal court judges who assess penalties in fish and wildlife cases “may not comprehend the consequences” of horseshoe crab takings. State Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, said that the state Department of Environmental Protection that wanted the higher penalty. He originally sought to reduce the maximum $10,000 first-offense and $25,000 second-offense fines. He informed that they are the teeth in the new state law maintaining a moratorium on taking the crabs for use as commercial fishing bait.
Sen. Robert Smith, D-Gloucester, the committee chairman, told that it is the right time to pass legislation for the red knots’ arrival.
