Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

In This Issue:

• Marine Fisheries Relief Program Application Deadline, January 14
• Winter 2022 Commercial Fishing Special Harvest Programs
• Limited Entry Permit Applications Due By January 31
• Construction Starts on New Fish Passage Through Woodhull Dam
• Upcoming Fishery Meetings

Marine Fisheries Relief Program Application Deadline, January 14

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.

Resident New York State seafood, commercial marine fishing, marine aquaculture, and marine recreational for-hire fishing businesses are eligible to apply for the funding 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: 

• Review all eligibility criteria in the Consolidated Appropriations Act New York Marine Fisheries Relief Program Spend Plan (PDF)
• Review the Marine Fisheries Relief Program Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for detailed instructions on completing the application and submitting it electronically.
• Download or print and complete the Consolidated Appropriations Act 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, email fisherydisaster@dec.ny.gov or call (631) 444-0473.

Winter 2022 Commercial Fishing Special Harvest Programs

DEC Winter 2022 Special Harvest Programs will start on January 9, 2022. These programs include the Weekly Summer Flounder, Weekly Black Sea Bass and the NYS Cooperative Multi-State Possession and Landing Programs.

Download the application and instructions for the programs from DEC's website.

Weekly Black Sea Bass Harvest Program 

• Effective Sunday, January 9, 2022, the weekly black sea bass program is established at 500 lbs. weekly. This trip limit will remain in effect until further notice. 

Weekly Summer Flounder Harvest Program (Summer Flounder Permit required)

• Effective Sunday, January 9, 2022, the weekly summer flounder program is established at 2,000 lbs. weekly. This trip limit remains in effect until further notice.

Cooperative Multi-State Possession and Landing Pilot Program

• The New York State Cooperative Multi-State Possession and Landing Program (Multi-State Program) will run January 9, 2022 through April 30, 2022, unless otherwise specified by DEC.
• The Multi-State Program allows holders of a New York State Commercial Food Fishing License to possess onboard multiple trip limits of summer flounder and/or black sea bass intended for ports in cooperating states (CT, RI, and MA).
• Program participants may only land the trip limit allowed by the respective state's current regulations. Please note that CT does not participate in the Multi-State Harvest Program for black sea bass.
• The Multi-State Program does not permit the landing of summer flounder or black sea bass in New York in excess of New York's weekly trip limit.

These actions are taken pursuant to subdivision 40.1(u) of 6 NYCRR. For more information about these programs, visit DEC's website. 

Limited Entry New Permit Applications Due By January 31

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other administrative burdens, DEC has extended the time for which 2022 applications for new commercial fishing limited entry licenses and permits will be considered. These 2022 applications must be received by DEC Marine Resources by close of business January 31, 2022.

Applications may be dropped off or mailed to:

NYSDEC Marine Permit Office
123 Kings Park Blvd. (Nissequogue River State Park)
Kings Park, New York 11754

Construction Starts on New Fish Passage Through Woodhull Dam

DEC, Suffolk County, town of Southampton, and Peconic Estuary Partnership (PEP) announced the start of construction on a nearly $1 million fish passage through Woodhull Dam on the Little River in Riverhead. The fish passage is essential to restoring critical spawning and maturation habitat for river herring and American eel and will help produce sustainable populations of fish species that are valuable resources for a healthy and productive marine ecosystem.

The Woodhull Dam fish passage will restore access to 90 acres of high-quality habitat for river herring and American eel in the Cranberry Bog Preserve and Wildwood Lake, more than doubling the amount of spawning and maturation habitat currently available for river herring on the Peconic River. 

DEC, Suffolk County, town of Southampton, and PEP worked collaboratively to secure nearly $1 million for the design and construction of the fish passage. Funding was provided by DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Passage Funds, Suffolk County’s Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program, Suffolk County Capital Funds, and town of Southampton’s Community Preservation Fund Water Quality Improvement Project Plan.

Learn more about the work DEC and partners are doing to restore diadromous fish passages on DEC's website. 

Upcoming Fishery Meetings

CT & NY Public Hearing on Lobster Draft Addendum XXIX and Jonah Crab Draft Addendum IV
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

ASMFC American Lobster Management Board (Board) initiated Draft Addendum
XXIX to Amendment 3 of the American Lobster Fishery Management Plan/Addendum IV and the Jonah Crab Fishery Management Plan to consider implementing electronic tracking requirements for federally-permitted vessels in the American lobster and Jonah crab fishery. The purpose of this action is to collect high resolution spatial and temporal effort data to address a number of challenges facing the fishery, including stock assessment, protected species interactions, marine spatial planning, and offshore enforcement. 

Click now to register for a virtual public hearing.

Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Visit Stony Brook University's MRAC website for the final meeting agenda and details for joining the meeting online. 

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) January 2022 Meeting
Tuesday, January 25 - Thursday, January 27

Visit ASMFC's website for the meeting agenda, materials, and details.