Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

DEC's New Division of Marine Resources Headquarters is Open

On Thursday, October 7, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's new Marine Resources headquarters located in the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park, in Suffolk County, New York.  

The new building, which features a range of sustainable green features, serves as a central hub for DEC's Division of Marine Resources and its essential work to manage and conserve New York's marine fisheries, shellfish, and other protected marine life habitats.  

DEC’s Division of Marine Resources is responsible for the conservation and management of New York's marine fisheries and shellfish, as well as preserving and restoring critical marine habitats and protecting endangered marine life found along New York’s coastal shores. The new facility houses the state’s only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-certified shellfish microbiology laboratory to ensure over one million acres of shellfish growing areas in New York’s marine waters meet stringent federal requirements.

Learn more about Saltwater Fishing & Shellfishing from DEC's website. 

Tree Planting & Open House at Marine Resources Headquarters

Join DEC, NY State Parks, and Nissequogue River State Park Foundation for a tree planting and public open house on Saturday, October 16 at 10:00 AM at DEC's Marine Resources Headquarters located at 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY. (Google Maps) 

A ceremonial planting of native Long Island trees produced from local seed sourced by DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery will kick-off the event, followed by guided tours of the headquarters to learn more about the work DEC does to protect the marine environment and manage New York's marine resources sustainably. 

During the tour, interactive digital maps will be available to dive deep into New York's artificial reefs and learn about shellfishing open harvest areas. Videos will also demonstrate how DEC conducts fisheries surveys and show underwater footage of New York's artificial reefs. Aquariums featuring local marine species will be on display and crafts will be offered for children under suggested 12 years of age. 

Interested visitors are encouraged to register by emailing fw.marine@dec.ny.gov. Visitors not registered will be offered tours on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status. For questions or more information on the open house, contact fw.marine@dec.ny.gov.