Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

In This Issue:

• Commercial Striped Bass Permit Holder Deadline April 15
• Recreational Marine Fishing Registry 
• Volunteer Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program
• Marine Resources Citizen Science Projects
• Upcoming Fishery Meetings

Commercial Striped Bass Permit Holder Deadline April 15

New York State commercial striped bass permit holders must apply for their Food Fish License and Striped Bass Permit by April 15. Permit holders who don't apply before this deadline will not receive their Striped Bass permit or any tags for 2021. If you have questions, contact the Marine Permit Office (MPO) by calling 631-444-0470 or send an email to MPO@dec.ny.gov. 

Register for New York's Recreational Marine Fishing Registry 

Before going fishing in New York's marine waters, anglers 16 years and older must enroll in the no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry. In 2020, DEC launched a new system for the sale of fishing, hunting, and trapping licenses on the updated DEC Automated Licensing System (DECALS). Anglers can register through DECALS online, by calling 1-866-933-2257, or visiting a License Issuing Agent.

Also, be sure to check New York's Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for the current open size and regulations before you head out for your next fishing trip. Visit DEC's website for more information on Saltwater Fishing. 

Volunteer to Become a Striped Bass Cooperative Angler

DEC is seeking participants to join the Striped Bass Cooperative Angler (SBCA) Program to help biologists understand and maintain a healthy striped bass population. 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.

Get Involved in Marine Resources Citizen Science Projects

DEC offers a variety of citizen science opportunities for community members to participate in marine science research and conservation efforts. Participating in citizen science programs offers hands-on experiences in data collection and research methods while providing DEC biologists with essential data to better conserve New York's marine life. Learn more about the various opportunities below and how to participate!

Flipper Files: A Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Sighting Survey

Dolphins, whales, seals, and sea turtles are some of the most exciting marine life to observe along New York's coasts. Report your sightings of these animals using DEC's Flipper Files digital survey from a smartphone or computer. The details provided from your sightings help DEC better understand marine protected species and human interactions in New York and further expands data of local marine mammal and sea turtle habitat use and behavior.

River Herring and American Eel Monitoring

DEC works with Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP), Seatuck Environmental Association, Long Island Sound Study (LISS), and volunteers to monitor local waterways for river herring and American eels. Long Island’s rivers & streams provide vital habitat for river herring and juvenile American eels, but habitat loss due to the construction of dams, bycatch, overfishing, and declining water quality have impacted their numbers. Visit Seatuck's website to learn more about the online survey and how you can help volunteer. 

Artificial Reef Fishing & Diving Survey

The Artificial Reef Program is looking for volunteer anglers and divers to record and share their catches and marine life observations while visiting New York's artificial reefs. This data is used to enhance fishing and diving opportunities in New York's marine waters by creating more effective reefs in the future. 

If you visit one of New York's artificial reefs, submit your observations using the Artificial Reef Volunteer Fishing & Diving Survey. Before visiting a reef, be sure to check out DEC's Artificial Reef Guide (PDF) and Artificial Reef Interactive Map. 

Atlantic Sturgeon Salvage Program 

Atlantic sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they're born in freshwater and spend the majority of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater regions to spawn. Sturgeons are particularly vulnerable to being caught as bycatch in commercial fisheries or vessel strikes. Sturgeon may wash up on Long Island beaches or in the Hudson River region, and DEC asks individuals to report any sturgeon they may come across. 

• In marine waters, including Long Island Sound, contact 631-444-0444 or  MarineProtectedResources@dec.ny.gov.
• In the Hudson River region, contact 845-256-3073 or HudsonRiverFish@dec.ny.gov.

Upcoming Marine Fishery Meetings

ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Webinar (PDF)
Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board will consider recommendations from the Circle Hook Ad Hoc Committee regarding a definition of bait and method of fishing that would require the use of circle hooks, as well as consider how to handle incidental catch.
• Register for the webinar online or visit ASMFC's website for more information. 

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.

MAFMC Virtual Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) Workshops Wednesday, March 31, 2021; 5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M

• The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) virtual public workshop to solicit input on future management of the recreational summer flounder fishery.
• Workshops are part of MAFMC development of a management strategy evaluation (MSE) which will evaluate different management strategies designed to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery.
• Register for the meeting online. For more information on submitting public input and additional meeting dates, see MAFMC's website.