Those found harvesting blue claw crabs may face fines ranging from $100 to $3,000. The signs warn of the crabs’ toxicity, as well as the legal repercussions associated with harvesting them. Signs are located in places frequented by the public, especially those areas where there is evidence of crabbing activity. Signs and literature are available in English, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Korean, and Tagalog to make this information as accessible as possible. Education is critical to making sure people are safe until the river can be properly remediated,” Commissioner Martin said.Īs they have for years, the DEP and DOH are working with local municipalities to distribute informative literature and signs about the crab consumption ban and fish consumption advisories. “It’s important to get the word out about the threat from eating these crabs to the area’s diverse population. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this year chose the Christie Administration’s preferred remedy as its preferred remediation plan for the Lower Passaic River, a plan that could kick-start a long-overdue cleanup of a contaminated eight-mile section of this vital waterway that was once an economic engine for the state and nation. In addition to the Lower Passaic River and Newark Bay, tidal waters affected by the crab ban and fish advisories include Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, the Elizabeth River, the Hackensack River, and Rahway River.
In concert with the federal government, we are now working to develop a massive cleanup project that will make these waterways safe for generations in the future, but the warnings remain in effect now.” “We have to be vigilant about preventing people from eating crabs caught in these waters because they can be harmful to those who consume them, especially vulnerable populations such as infants and children, expectant mothers and women of child-bearing age. “Crabs in these waters are abundant and appear healthy but they are not safe to eat,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. Harvesting or eating crabs from these waters is illegal and subject to fines. Blue crabs from these waterways are unsafe to eat because they are bottom dwellers that absorb cancer-causing dioxins and other contaminants in high levels. The annual multi-agency information campaign reminds the public that sediments in these waterways remain polluted with highly toxic dioxins resulting from the production of Agent Orange many decades ago. (14/P75) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health, municipal governments and local environmental organizations, is again warning anglers and the public not to harvest or consume blue claw crabs from the Lower Passaic River, Newark Bay and surrounding waters this summer and to observe consumption limits in place for fish species in those areas. Contact: Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994ĭEP REMINDS PUBLIC OF BAN ON CONSUMPTION AND HARVESTING OFīLUE CLAW CRABS FROM CONTAMINATED WATERWAYS