Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

Important Updates for Recreational Shark Anglers

New for 2018, all Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit holders that recreationally fish for, retain, possess, or land sharks are required to obtain a shark endorsement on their HMS permit. This requires completing a short online shark identification and fishing regulation quiz. All HMS permits are vessel based permits. In addition to the HMS permit, New York anglers must also apply for and carry the no fee Recreational Marine Registry.

NOAA Fisheries requires recreational shark anglers to use non-offset, non stainless steel circle hooks in federal waters (3 – 200 miles offshore) when fishing with baited hooks south of 41° 43' latitude (near Chatham, Massachusetts). Non-offset, non stainless steel circle hooks are also required in New York State waters (0 – 3 miles offshore) when fishing for sharks with baited hooks.

In March 2018, the recreational minimum size limit for shortfin mako shark caught in federal waters was increased to 83 inches (fork length). This emergency management measure was put into effect in response to an international stock assessment which found that the shortfin mako stock is overfished, and overfishing is occurring. NOAA Fisheries encourages the live release of all mako sharks and promotes catch-and-release practices through their "Release Mako" app, which allows anglers to share information about their mako shark catches.

NYSDEC reminds anglers not to fish for or target prohibited shark species such as sandbar ("brown"), dusky, and sand tiger shark. Information about how to identify prohibited shark species, and what to do if you catch one can be found on the NYSDEC Shark Fishing webpage. Remember, "If you don't know, let it go".

Public Meetings Offshore Wind Development in New York Bight

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Call for Information and Nominations on the potential for wind energy development in the New York Bight. BOEM seeks public input on the Call Area, including site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in close proximity to, or within, the Call Areas that would be relevant to BOEM's review. They will use the information provided to determine whether and how to proceed with its offshore wind energy leasing process for areas in the New York Bight.

BOEM extended the public comment period for offshore wind energy development within the New York Bight region to July 30, 2018. BOEM is requesting comments on potential lease areas for offshore wind energy development identified on the map below as “BOEM NY Bight Call Areas.”

In collaboration with the State of New York (Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), BOEM is convening 2 public comment sessions to help ensure that BOEM is aware of the questions or concerns of New York’s fishing community and other stakeholders. BOEM will present information regarding the NY Bight Call for Information and Area Identification process and characterization of NY Bight fisheries. These sessions will occur:

July 11, 2018: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Montauk Community Playhouse, ADC Room
240 Edgemere Street, Montauk, New York, 11954

July 12, 2018: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Shinnecock Commercial Fishing Dock Office
333 Beach Road (aka Dune Road), Hampton Bays, NY 11946
*Located at the Shinnecock Commercial Fishing Dock on the Hampton Bays side of the Shinnecock Inlet

If you are unable to attend a meeting, or if you prefer to submit written comment to BOEM electronically, comments may be submitted by July 30, 2018. To submit comments online or get information on how to mail in comments, please visit www.regulations.gov and in the search bar, enter ‘BOEM-2018-0004'.

The accompanied map indicates “NYS Areas for Consideration” for offshore wind energy leasing identified by the State of New York through the development of the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan.

For more information about the BOEM process and submitting comments visit, BOEM’s New York Activities website.

Celebrate National Oceans Month

Every June is known as National Oceans Month, and across the globe World Oceans Day is celebrate on June 8th. This annual celebration recognizes the extensive resources our marine environment provides to us and also celebrates the diverse marine life that calls these waters home.

New York's ocean and coastal waters hosts numerous commercially important industries including shipping, commercial fishing, tourism, and potential energy development. The ocean also provides diverse recreation opportunities to New Yorkers and visitors from all across the world, and supports many valuable species of marine fish, endangered sea turtles, and protected marine mammals who rely on this habitat. The New York Ocean Action Plan (PDF) was established in January 2017 to provide framework for an integrated and adaptive approach to manage ocean-related activities and the mounting stressors infringing on this ocean.

To learn more about ocean and marine life monitoring projects and long-term goals, visit the New York Ocean Action Plan webpage.

Report Tagged Lobsters

The Southern New England Cooperative Ventless Trap Survey (SNECVTS) being conducted from May - November 2018 by the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) and University of Rhode Island needs your help!

Have you caught a lobster with a green “SNECVTS” t-bar tag behind the carapace OR a black acoustic tag on the carapace (photo to the right)? If so, please contact Michael Long at (401) 515-4892 or mlong@cfrfoundation.org.

If you catch a lobster with an acoustic tag, do not release the lobster! To retrieve data from lobsters with acoustic tags, CFRF staff will need to remove the tag from the lobster. You will also need to report the date and location of capture. Each acoustic tag returned to CFRF will result in an immediate $100 reward. To report a t-bar tagged lobster you must report the tag number, date and location of capture, and if the lobster was harvested or released. T-bar tag rewards will be awarded through a raffle system. Each t-bar tag reported results in one raffle entry, and three $100 raffle winners will be selected in February 2019.

Important Dates

Public Scoping Hearings on Bluefish Allocation Amendment

When:
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.

Where:
NYSDEC Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY

Note: Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Bluefish Allocation Amendment to the Bluefish Management Plan (PDF) either by attending the public hearing or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. (EST) on July 30, 2018 and can be made online, forwarded to mseeley@mafmc.org, or mailed to Chris Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901 (Fax: 302-674-5399).

Marine Resource Advisory Council July Meeting

When:
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.

Where:
NYSDEC Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY