Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

Report Shark Sightings and Celebrate Shark Week in New York

There are multiple shark species in New York’s marine waters, and DEC is celebrating some of the most well-known sharks in our area during #SharkWeek. Follow along with us this week on DEC's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages to learn more about sharks in New York! 

You can typically find sharks in the deep waters offshore, but you can also find them chasing baitfish in the surf and coastal bays. Report any sightings of sharks to DEC's Shark Spotter Digital Survey. Information provided to DEC helps researchers better understand New York's shark populations. Check out the Shark Spotter Public Viewer to learn more about shark sightings that have been reported to DEC. 

Before going fishing, make sure to visit our Recreational Shark Fishing webpage for information about permit requirements and regulations. Learn more about shark fishing and proper handling techniques by watching NOAA’s Shark Endorsement Education video.

Proposed Offshore Wind Development Meeting & Comment Period

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a proposed sale for offshore wind development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the New York Bight. The proposed lease areas have the potential to unlock over seven gigawatts of offshore wind energy, powering more than 2.6 million homes and supporting thousands of new jobs. 

The Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) (link to PDF) includes eight lease areas in the New York Bight that could be auctioned for commercial wind energy development. A 60-day public comment period has been initiated with publication of the PSN. Further information regarding the PSN can be found on BOEM’s New York Bight webpage.

Additionally, BOEM has published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Empire Wind project. This project would be located in federal waters approximately 12 nautical miles south of Long Island, New York.

BOEM will be hosting a public virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. to learn about the Empire Wind Construction and Operations Plan (COP), ask questions, and provide oral testimony. You can find detailed information about the proposed wind energy facilities, including how to provide written comments, on BOEM’s website.

NOAA Fisheries Electronic Reporting for Federal Permit Holders

Starting November 10, 2021, NOAA will require all federally permitted vessels with reporting requirements to submit their vessel trip reports electronically. To help facilitate this transition, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County Marine Program is holding a training session on the electronic reporting platforms available to New York State fishermen and women.

This training will be held in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) RSA Workshop on July 15 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the first-floor conference room of the Cornell Cooperative Extension building, located at 423 Griffing Ave. in Riverhead.

Apple iPads may be available for select industry participants. For more information, please contact Tara McClintock (631) 740-6486.

Upcoming Meetings

Marine Resources Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Stony Brook University - School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS)
Endeavour Hall Room 120, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• 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.
• For the final meeting time and agenda, visit the Marine Resources Advisory Council webpage. 

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Summer Webinar 
Monday, August 2 - Thursday, August 5, 2021

• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is hosting the annual 4-day Summer Meeting.
• A preliminary agenda and instructions for submitting public comments and joining the webinar can be found on ASMFC's website.