Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

Summer Flounder Weekly Harvest Program

Eligible to Summer Flounder Permit Holders Only

DEC opens the 2020 Summer Flounder Weekly Harvest Program on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. The weekly harvest limit is set at 1,000 pounds per fishing week (Saturday through Friday).

The summer flounder weekly harvest program is only eligible for summer flounder permit holders that register to participate (PDF) in the program. Registered participants may possess and land summer flounder in excess of the normal commercial daily trip limit (140 pounds as of 01/08/2020) up to 1,000 pounds in one trip or multiple trips within the fishing week.

The summer flounder weekly harvest program will operate from January 14, 2020 through April 30, 2020, unless otherwise indicated.

For more information, visit Weekly Harvest Programs.

Commercial Daily Trip Limits for 2020

Effective January 8, 2020, the following daily trip limits are effective in New York State. All trip limits will remain in effect until further notice.

• Black sea bass – The daily trip limit is set at 150 pounds.
• Scup – The possession limit is 50,000 pounds per trip pursuant to NOAA Fisheries regulations.
• Bluefish - The daily trip limit is set at 5,000 pounds.
• Spiny dogfish – The daily trip limit remains at 6,000 pounds.

For holders of a summer flounder permit only:

• Summer flounder – The daily trip limit is set at 140 pounds.

Visit Commercial Quota Harvest Limits for more information. All fish commercially harvested must be reported on Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs). If you need additional VTRs or information on electronic reporting, please call 631-444-0857 or send us an email DEC.

North Atlantic Right Whales Spotted Near New York’s Shores

DEC and New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) work in partnership to coordinate the New York Bight Whale Monitoring Program, which conducts monthly visual aerial surveys and year-round passive acoustic surveys for large whales in the New York Bight.  

The aerial survey this past December observed two North Atlantic right whales only a few miles off Long Island’s south shore. Right whales are recognized as a state and federally endangered species, with an estimated 400 individuals left in the world.

Sightings of right whales in New York’s marine water are promising for the future prospects of the population and helps researchers better understand how whales move through the New York Bight. This data helps researchers make informed decisions for ocean planning and assists in developing mitigation actions for activities that directly impact large whales. Some threats to marine mammals and sea turtles include vessel strikes and entanglement in marine debris. (Image shows two right whales captured by the aerial survey in March of 2017)

Learn more about North Atlantic right whales and other large whales that can be found off the shores of New York’s coasts by visiting Marine Mammals of New York.  

New York Seafood Industry Roundtable Report

DEC, Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), Department of Economic Development (ESD), and Department of State (DOS) conducted a series of roundtable meetings with several stakeholders to discuss and consider issues relating to New York's seafood industry. The goal of the roundtable meetings was to explore issues, opportunities, strategies, best practices, and recommendations for methods to increase resources and information available to support New York’s local fishermen, aquaculturists and related small businesses for the continued growth of the seafood industry and marketing of locally produced sustainable food systems in New York.

Review the Seafood Industry Proposed Recommendations and Final Report (PDF) that was produced as a result of comments and discussions that were presented at the New York Seafood Industry Roundtable Meetings.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Meetings

Marine Resources Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 2 p.m.
NYSDEC Marine Resources Headquarters
205 N. Belle Mead Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733

MAFMC and ASMFC Scoping Hearing for Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Allocations
Thursday, February 27, 2020, 6 p.m.
Stony Brook University, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences
Room 120 Endeavor Hall, Stony Brook, NY 11794

Please note: A MAFMC Bluefish Supplemental Scoping Hearing is expected to take place following the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Hearing. DEC will release additional details once they’re available.

Events

Surfcaster Journal’s Striper Day
Sunday January 19, 2020, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ward Melville High School
380 Old Town Rd, Setauket-East Setauket, NY 11733

New York Boat Show
January 22 – 26, 2020
Jacob Javits Convention Center
429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001

New York Sportfishing Federation Annual Forum & Auction
February 15 – 16, 2020
Freeport Recreational Center
130 E Merrick Rd, Freeport, NY 11520

Stay up to date with more Upcoming DEC Events!