Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

Volunteer for DEC's Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program

DEC is seeking participants to join the Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program to help biologists understand and maintain a healthy striped bass population. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) requires New York State to provide catch information from its recreational fishery to manage this species. Volunteer anglers play a crucial role in helping DEC satisfy this requirement, and all anglers who fish for striped bass are invited to participate.

Anglers who fish for striped bass north of the George Washington Bridge in the tidal Hudson River should email hudsonangler@dec.ny.gov or visit DEC's Hudson River Striped Bass to learn more about the Hudson River Cooperative Anglers Program. In the tidal Hudson River, the recreational slot limit is 18 to 28 inches (not less than 18 inches nor greater than 28 inches) and the season is open April 1 through Nov. 30.

Anglers who fish for striped bass in New York's marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge should contact the Diadromous Fish Unit at sbcaprogram@dec.ny.gov or visit DEC's Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers. In marine waters, the recreational slot limit is 28 - 35 inches (not less than 28 inches nor greater than 35 inches) and the season is open April 15 through Dec. 15.

Recreational Striped Bass Circle Hook Proposed Regulation,
Public Comments Accepted Through March 8

DEC released a proposed regulation for public review and comment that would require the use of circle hooks when recreational fishing for Atlantic striped bass. This proposed regulation would reduce release mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries as required by ASMFC Addendum VI to Amendment 6 (PDF) to address the finding that the striped bass resource is overfished and experiencing overfishing.

DEC is accepting public comments on the proposal through March 8, 2021. The full text of the proposed regulation can be found on DEC's website. Comments on the proposed circle hook regulation should be sent to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov or by mail to Division of Marine Resources, 205 N. Belle Mead Rd. Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733.

Catch-and-release practices contribute significantly to overall fishing mortality in the recreational striped bass fishery and circle hooks work effectively to increase survival. ASMFC met on Feb. 3, 2021 to discuss the implementation of the circle hook provision due to the complicated nature of the public response received to date. In the near future, ASMFC will generate guidance on bait definitions and the methods of fishing that should require circle hooks. DEC will consider the updated ASMFC guidance and public comment gathered in response to the proposed rule to establish a final regulation for the 2021 fishing season.

New State Marine Fishing Records for Bonito and Sheepshead

DEC announced new state records for Atlantic bonito and sheepshead in the marine and coastal district waters of New York. Both catches took place in 2020 and were recently confirmed by DEC as record-breakers. The bonito was caught off of the State's Atlantic Beach Artificial Reef and the sheepshead was caught in Reynolds Channel.

Matthew Kessinger of Oceanside reeled in a new marine fishing record for Atlantic bonito off of Atlantic Beach Artificial Reef in November 2020. Just last fall, Atlantic Beach Reef received 16 of a total 75 rail cars donated by Wells Fargo Rail Corporation to New York State as part of Governor Cuomo's ongoing artificial reef initiative. The impressive catch, weighing a total of 13.45 pounds, exceeded the previous state record of 12.49 pounds set by Angelo Peluso in 2003. 

James Torborg of Atlantic Beach set a new record for sheepshead. His catch in September 2020 in Reynolds Channel weighed 13.9 pounds and surpasses the previous state record of 13.36 pounds caught in 2016 by Peter Kruczko. There are currently no recreational size and possession limits on bonito and sheepshead, and these fish can be harvested year-round.

Kessinger and Torborg submitted details of their record-breaking catches to DEC's Marine Fishing Records Program. If an angler thinks their next catch could be a record-breaker, visit DEC's website for information about how to submit marine records for certification.

Visitors to New York's Artificial Reefs are encouraged to share observations using the Artificial Reef Volunteer Fishing & Diving Survey and check out the Artificial Reefs Interactive Map to learn more about reef site characteristics, materials used, coordinates of individual patch reefs, and the history of deployments. Anglers must enroll in New York's no-fee Marine Recreational Fishing Registry before going fishing and check the current Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations in effect.

Upcoming Meetings

2021 Limited Entry Commercial Fishing Permit Random Selection
Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• DEC Marine Permit Office (MPO) 2021 Limited Entry Commercial Fishing Permit Random Selection will take place as a virtual public meeting. In the event of inclement weather, the virtual meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 4, 2021.
• DEC MPO Limited Entry Permits and Licenses issued to eligible applicants that are designated through a double-blind selection process to ensure that results are randomly selected and unbiased.
• Register for the virtual meeting online or call into the meeting by dialing 518-549-0500 and entering the Access Code 185 841 8599. Your audio connection or phone line will be muted on entry.
• For questions about marine permits and licenses, contact MPO@dec.ny.gov.

MAFMC & ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment Public Hearing
Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

• The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) are seeking public comment on the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment.
• Comments may be submitted at the virtual public hearing or via written comment until March 16, 2021.
• To register for the virtual public hearing or for information on how to submit comments, visit MAFMC's website.
• Additional information can be found on MAFMC's website in the Public Hearing Document and Quick Reference Guide (PDF).

Marine Resources Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• The Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) advises the DEC on marine resources issues, such as commercial and recreational fishing, proposed regulations, and the protection and utilization of New York's valuable marine resources.
• Register online for the virtual meeting or visit DEC's website for more information. 

ASMFC New York Public Hearings on Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Amendment 7 Public Information Document (PDF)
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

• ASMFC is seeking input on the Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Amendment 7 Public Information Document (PID), (PDF).
• The PID seeks input from those interested in striped bass about changes observed in the fishery/resource and potential management measures.
• Register for the virtual public hearing by selecting March 23, 2021 hearing date from the dropdown menu. 
• Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending a public hearing or providing written comments through 5:00 p.m. on April 9, 2021. 
• Written comments can be sent to Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201, by fax to (703) 842-0741 or emailed to comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass PID). 

MAFMC and ASMFC to Hold Public Hearings for Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment
Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) are seeking public comment on management options under consideration in the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment.
• Comments may be provided at the virtual public hearing or via written comment until April 23, 2021.
• To register for the virtual public hearing or for information on how to submit comments, visit MAFMC's website.