Massachusetts House Bill H5266

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

To end the taking of horseshoe crabs for bait

Summary

House Bill 5266 would add a new section to Chapter 130 of the Massachusetts General Laws to phase out the harvesting of horseshoe crabs for bait. The Department would be required to create a plan that gradually eliminates the taking of horseshoe crabs and achieves full elimination by January 1, 2029. The bill defines “horseshoe crab” as Limulus polyphemus and makes clear that the measure is aimed at ending commercial or recreational bait use rather than all human interaction with the species. The bill preserves limited exceptions. The director may still issue permits for educational or scientific purposes, so long as the activity is determined not to harm the horseshoe crab population in coastal waters. It also exempts incidental capture during otherwise lawful fishing operations, provided the crabs are immediately returned unharmed. Violations would be subject to a $25 fine per crab taken, while possession of cast-off or molted shells would not be penalized. The Division would be directed to adopt regulations under Chapter 30A to implement and enforce the law.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would amend Chapter 130 of the General Laws by creating a new horseshoe crab protection framework focused on bait harvesting. It would require the state’s fisheries or natural resources authorities to develop and carry out a phaseout plan, regulate scientific and educational permits, and establish enforcement rules. The measure would affect commercial bait users, some recreational fishers, and any other person taking horseshoe crabs from coastal waters, while leaving incidental bycatch and possession of shells outside the penalty scheme.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. The committee on Environment and Natural Resources reported that the bill “ought to pass,” indicating support at the committee level. No recorded votes or hearing transcripts were provided, so there is no evidence in the supplied materials of organized opposition or divided debate. Overall, the bill appears to have been treated as a conservation measure with committee backing.

Contention

The main point of contention implied by the bill is the balance between species conservation and continued use of horseshoe crabs as bait in fishing operations. Supporters would likely favor the phaseout as a way to protect coastal populations, while those dependent on horseshoe crab bait could view the gradual elimination as a restriction on fishing practices. The bill addresses some of those concerns by allowing scientific and educational permits and by exempting incidental catch, but it still ultimately ends bait harvesting by 2029.