2021 Horseshoe Crab Lunar Spawning Closure Dates

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries sent this bulletin at 03/29/2021 04:12 PM EDT

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March 29, 2021

2021 Horseshoe Crab Lunar Spawning Closure Dates

To promote the conservation of horseshoe crabs, the commercial horseshoe crab fishery is subject to five-day lunar spawning closures during the springtime. These closures occur for five-day periods coinciding with each new and full moon occurring between April 16 and June 30. Closure periods begin at 12:00AM (midnight) two days prior to each new or full moon and end at 11:59PM two-days after each new or full moon. The exact closure for 2021 are captured in calendar below. A full text copy of the regulations relevant to horseshoe crabs is available at 322 CMR 6.34.

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

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