Alternative Bait Study

Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 13-0305 directs the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage New York State’s marine fishery resources to preserve their long-term abundance for future generations. ECL § 13-0330(6) & 13-0331(7) grant DEC authority to adopt regulations for whelks and horseshoe crabs, respectively. Horseshoe crabs are solely harvested for use as bait in New York. Horseshoe crab bait is used to catch channeled whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus), which are attracted to them when used in commercial traps. Currently, no viable or commercially available natural or synthetic alternatives to horseshoe crab bait exist for the whelk fishery. Under DEC’s current regulatory program, DEC maintains compliance with the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for horseshoe crab, adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

Offerors shall adhere to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Guidelines Regarding Permissible Contacts During a Procurement and the Prohibition of Inappropriate Lobbying Influence.

All correspondence and/or questions relating to this procurement should be directed to the Department’s primary contact.