Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

Important Reminders for Recreational Shark Anglers

New York’s coastal and offshore waters provide important habitat for multiple species of sharks, and being able to identify these different species is necessary before going shark fishing. Some species that are commonly targeted by recreational anglers include blue, thresher, and short-fin mako sharks. The recreational minimum size limit for shortfin mako caught in federal waters was increased to 83 inches (fork length) in March 2018. This emergency measure was put into effect in response to an international stock assessment which determined the stock is overfished, and overfishing is occurring.

NYSDEC reminds anglers not to fish for or target prohibited shark species such as sandbar ("brown"), dusky, and sand tiger sharks. Tagging sharks does not exempt you from regulations and enforcement actions. If you catch a shark that you’re unable to identify, please remember to follow NOAA’s guidance, "If you don't know, let it go".

Before shark-fishing, you must obtain a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. To acquire a HMS permit, you must first complete a short online shark identification and fishing regulation quiz. In addition to the HMS permit, New York anglers must also apply for and carry the no fee Recreational Marine Registry.

Visit Shark Fishing, for more information on sharks in New York’s waters.

DEC Hosting Multiple Public Information Sessions to Modernize Commercial Fishing Licensing System

DEC's Division of Marine Resources is holding a series of meetings across the State's Marine and Coastal District to gather feedback from key stakeholders about the State's current commercial fishing licensing system and ideas for reforms to modernize and improve the program.

A list of the topics that will be addressed during this project include:

• Specifying qualifications for license issuance
• License transferability
• Identifying means of entry for new participants in New York's fisheries
• Apprenticeship
• Resolution of the latent licenses issue

New York's current licensing system has evolved over the past 30 years in response to changing fish populations in State waters. As fish populations continued to fluctuate and fishery management strategies change, additional permits were established and regulations grew more complex. The public meetings will offer the opportunity for commercial fishermen and stakeholders to ask questions and provide their insight on the current licensing system.

See complete list of upcoming meetings below:

• Monday, August 20, 2019, 6 p.m. - Staten Island Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, New York 10301
• Tuesday, August 21, 2018, 6 p.m. - Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center, 3690 Cedar Beach Road, Southold, New York 11971
• Wednesday, August 22, 2018, 6 p.m. - City Island Community Center (City Island), 190 Fordham Street, Bronx, New York 10464
• Thursday, August 23, 2018, 6 p.m. - Montauk Playhouse, 240 Edgemere Street, Montauk, New York 11954
• Wednesday, September 5, 2018, 6 p.m. - Montauk Playhouse, 240 Edgemere Street, Montauk, New York 11954

For more information about the meetings, visit Commercial Licensing Assessment Review.

Oyster Ponds Boat Launch Temporarily Closed

The boat launch at the Oyster Ponds Waterway Access Site, located off of Route 25 in East Marion (see on Google Maps), will be closed for the remainder of 2018. Strong wave action has damaged portions of the ramp which is exposed to the Long Island Sound making it unsafe for use. The ramp will be repaired and reopened for the 2019 boating season. The remainder of the access site remains open for hand launching canoes or kayaks and for surf-fishing.

Alternatively, the Mattituck Creek Waterway Access Site (see on Google Maps) is located approximately 18 miles west of the Oyster Ponds Access Site, and features a two lane concrete launch and can accommodate up to 60 trailer rigs and 14 cars. The Mattituck Creek Site also features a dock for canoe/kayak launches, a fishing pier, picnic tables, restrooms, trails, interpretive materials, wildlife viewing and loading docks. Features and parking locations are accessible to people with disabilities.

Additional NYSDEC Boat Ramps Open to the Public:

• Moriches Bay Waterway Access Site – Moriches Bay (Atlantic Ocean)
  Details: Single lane concrete ramp and accommodates 12 trailer rigs and five cars.
• Oyster Bay Western Waterfront Waterway Access Site/Old Jakobsons Shipyard Boat Ramp – Oyster Bay (Long Island Sound)
  Details: Single lane concrete ramp, accommodates 19 Trailer Rigs, and floating dock available in season.

For more information about the above access sites, visit Waterway Access Sites on Long Island. You can also review our Long Island Boat Ramp Guide for additional information on local marine access sites near you!