John Carney: “In lieu of offering my amendment at the desk, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise…”

“In lieu of offering my amendment at the desk, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise to discuss with you the importance of our Nation's fisheries and, in particular, the survey of horseshoe crab populations along the Atlantic coast. The Delaware Bay supports the largest population of horseshoe crabs in the world. This unique and ancient species is critical to not only the ecology of the Atlantic coast region, but to my State's economy as well. Horseshoe crab eggs are a critical food source for migrating shore birds. An estimated 450,000 to 1 million of these shore birds visit Delaware Bay each year, along with them come birdwatchers who contribute to Delaware's tourism economy. Horseshoe crabs also provide bait for commercial American eel and conch fisheries along the coast. Less well known is that horseshoe crabs are used for biomedical applications. Extract of horseshoe crab blood is used to ensure that injectable medications like intravenous drugs, vaccines, and medical devices are free of bacterial contamination. While there are some indications that horseshoe crabs are thriving in the Delaware Bay, we need additional research about their migratory patterns and prevalence in other parts of the mid-Atlantic region. Congress has, in the past, provided funding for comprehensive surveys of horseshoe crab populations.…”