Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

In This Issue:

• Marine Fisheries Relief Program Application Period Open
• 2022 Commercial Quota Distribution Meeting
• Artificial Reef Commercial Fishing Outreach Survey
• BOEM Public Workshops: Offshore Wind Energy & Fisheries
• Changes to Commercial Fishing Limits
• Slow Down for Right Whales Around New York

Marine Fisheries Relief Program Application Period Open

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $5.7 million in federal funding is available from the Marine Fisheries Relief Program, established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), to assist New York's marine fishing industry following extensive economic losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible seafood, commercial marine fishing, marine aquaculture, and marine recreational for-hire fishing businesses are eligible to apply for the funding beginning December 1, 2021. 

DEC is accepting applications for Marine Fisheries Relief Program through January 14, 2022. After the application period is closed, DEC will provide an opportunity for those applicants whose applications were denied to appeal. 

How to Apply for Marine Fisheries Relief Program Funding:

• Review all eligibility criteria in the Marine Fishery Relief Program Spend Plan (PDF)
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for detailed instructions on completing the application and submitting it electronically.
• Download or print and complete the CAA Marine Fisheries Relief Application (PDF)
• Submit completed and signed application to fisherydisaster@dec.ny.gov or by mail to DEC Division of Marine Resources, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY, 11754. 

For more information, visit DEC's Marine Fisheries Relief Program webpage. 

2022 Commercial Quota Distribution Meeting

DEC with be holding the 2022 Commercial Quota Distribution meeting virtually from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Stakeholders are encouraged to attend the virtual meeting and provide input on proposed 2022 commercial quota distribution plans. Species to be discussed are menhaden, horseshoe crab, summer flounder, summer scup, black sea bass and bluefish.

For meeting information, visit DEC's Commercial Harvest Limit webpage. 

Artificial Reef Commercial Fishing Outreach Survey

DEC has planned the expansions of seven existing artificial reefs and the creation of four new sites and is seeking feedback from commercial fishing interests to gain information that will help guide the future development of these sites and avoid conflicts with the commercial industry.

Stakeholders are encouraged to use the online survey to provide information including GPS data, identifying fishing locations, and any additional feedback on the changes to the artificial reefs. For more information, visit DEC's Artificial Reefs website or contact DEC’s Artificial Reef Program by calling 631-444-0438 or email artificialreefs@dec.ny.gov.

BOEM Public Workshops: Offshore Wind Energy & Fisheries

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), working with the National Marine Fisheries Service and affected coastal states, is developing guidance to be used for reducing or avoiding impacts from offshore wind projects on commercial and recreational fisheries and fishing.

BOEM is hosting several virtual workshops to gain input to help develop guidance. The meetings will offer an opportunity to learn about the purpose and intent of the guidance  and themes in the 2014 document Development of Mitigation Measures to Address Potential Use Conflicts between Commercial Wind Energy Lessees/Grantees and Commercial Fishermen on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf that inform this scoping.

Click links below to register for the workshop:

• Dec. 2, 10 a.m. EST - East Coast Workshop on Mobile Gear/Mixed Trawl/Pelagic
• Dec. 6, 10 a.m. EST - East Coast Workshop on Fixed Gear
• Dec. 7, 10 a.m. EST - Recreational Fishing Workshop

For information on additional meetings being held and how to submit comments, visit BOEM's website. 

Changes to Commercial Fishing Limits

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

• Effective Sunday, December 5, 2021, the daily trip limit for summer flounder is set at 1,000 lbs. This trip limit will remain in effect until further notice.
• This action is taken pursuant to the quota distribution schedule of subdivision 40.1 (u)(1)(2) of 6 NYCRR.

Striped Bass

• The 2021 commercial striped bass season closes on December 15, 2021.
• Any unused commercial striped bass tags must be returned by mail to DEC Division of Marine Resources, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY, 11754 by Wednesday, December 20, 2021.
• Permit holders must submit the last vessel trip report five days after the close of the commercial striped bass season or within five days after all striped bass tags are used.

For a complete list of commercial fishing limits, visit DEC's Commercial Harvest Limit webpage. 

Slow Down for Right Whales Around New York

North Atlantic right whales are on the move along the Atlantic coast and around New York's marine waters. NOAA Fisheries is cautioning boaters and fishermen and women to give these endangered whales plenty of room. Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside Right Whale Slow Zones where persistent aggregations of right whales have been detected. NOAA also asks fishermen and women to be vigilant when maneuvering to avoid accidental collisions with whales and remove unused gear from the ocean to help avoid entanglements.

North Atlantic right whales are protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Scientists estimate there are only about 400 remaining, making them one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. You can check for Right Whale Slow Zones on NOAA's online right whale sightings map.

Visit NOAA's website for more information on right whales and slow zones.