Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter: Guidance for Fishing Industry, #RecreateLocal

In This Issue:

• COVID-19 Guidance for Fishing Industry
• #RecreateLocal - Fish Safely and Responsibly
• Dive Into Plum Island's Marine Habitats

COVID-19 Guidance for the Fishing Industry

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently outlined a plan to reopen New York State on a regional basis as each region meets the criteria necessary to protect public health. The region-by-region reopening status can be found on New York's Regional Monitoring Dashboard. 

According to the NYForward reopening initiative, businesses in each region will re-open in phases and eligible industries must be in regions that have met the criteria to reopen. Licensed guides, for-hire vessels, and charter boat operators are included in the state’s Phase One industries as businesses associated with fishing and hunting.

New York State developed Commercial Fishing Services and ForHire Vessels Guidelines for Employers and Employees (PDF) to provide owners/operators of guides, commercial fishing services and for-hire vessels and their workers and contractors with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 as these activities resume or expand upon their current essential operations.

Business owners must also affirm that they have read and will operate according to the Interim Guidance For Commercial Fishing Services And For-Hire Vessels During The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF). Businesses are also accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements, as well as incorporating the same into any commercial fishing service and for-hire vessel and/or Site Safety Plan.

For more details, visit the NYForward website. 

#RecreateLocal - Fishing Safely and Responsibly

DEC and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) are encouraging New Yorkers to engage in responsible recreation during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. DEC and State Parks recommendations incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases and encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical distancing, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. In addition, DEC and State Parks launched a new hashtag-#RecreateLocal-and encourages New Yorkers to get outside and discover open spaces and parks close to home. Use DECinfo Locator to find a DEC-managed land nearest you.

Before fishing, check the Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for the most up to date limits and seasons, and make sure to enroll in New York’s free Marine Recreational Fishing Registry. The registry is required when fishing in New York's marine and coastal district waters or the Hudson River and its tributaries for "migratory fish of the sea". DEC encourages anglers to purchase sporting licenses online at this time, and anglers may use their privileges immediately by simply carrying their transaction number (DEC-LS#) with them.

Dive into Plum Island's Marine Habitats

DEC, along with partners from Save the Sound and New York Natural Heritage Program, conducted a first-of-its-kind marine survey of the underwater habitats around Plum Island. The study reveals an immense abundance of animal and plant life in a wide range of habitat types just off the threatened island’s shores.

See the full report and underwater footage from the survey on Preserve Plum Island's website.

Photo courtesy of Preserve Plum Island Coalition.

Send Us An Email 

In response to the public health emergency for the COVID-19, DEC’s Marine Permit Office will be operating with reduced staffing levels. Please submit applications by mail or send us an email with any questions.

• For permit information, electronic applications, and more details, visit Marine Permits and Licenses. You can reach the Marine Permit Office by emailing MPO@dec.ny.gov.
• For assistance with Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs), information about online reporting, or to request extra VTRs, send an email to VTR@dec.ny.gov.