An Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission proposal concerning harvest recommendations for Delaware Bay-origin horseshoe crabs has set off alarm bells for conservationists here on Long Beach Island and throughout New Jersey. Jay Watson, a co-executive director of the N.J. Conservation Foundation, says the worry is “the new model would eliminate a longstanding policy decision not allowing the harvesting of any female horseshoe crabs until the populations of both crabs and red knots return to higher levels.”

Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, is urging citizens to add their voice to oppose…