New York State Commercial Fishery Updates

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 04/15/2022 10:40 AM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Updates Only Apply to Commercial Fishing

Notice to Commercial Horseshoe Crab Permit Holders

  • Effective Saturday, April 16, 2022, the horseshoe crab daily trip limit is increased to 150 crabs. This trip limit will remain in effect until further notice.
  • Bait harvest of horseshoe crab is closed from May 28 through June 1 and June 12 through June 16.

Weekly harvest reports are required to be submitted to DEC from May 1 through July 31. For more information, visit DEC's Horseshoe Crab Distribution Plan webpage.  

This action is taken pursuant to the quota distribution schedule of subdivisions 40.1 (u)(1)(2) and 44.3 (b)(2) of 6 NYCRR.

Check DEC's Commercial Fishing Limits for the current limits in effect. 

Commercial Food Fish Permit Holders Harvesting Tautog

  • New York Bight Tautog Management Region: The season is open from April 16, 2022, through January 25, 2023. 
  • Long Island Sound Tautog Management Region: The season is open May 7 through July 31, 2022, and September 1 through November 23, 2022. 

Map of LI Sound & NY Bight Management Region

The Long Island Sound Tautog Management Area includes all marine and coastal district waters lying east of the Throgs Neck Bridge and west of a line that runs from Orient Point, NY to Watch Hill, RI. The New York Bight Tautog Management Area includes all marine and coastal waters lying outside of the Long Island Sound Management Region.

All commercially harvested tautog must be tagged in order to be sold or offered for sale. Tautog harvesters must comply with all the tagging requirements as specified in NYCRR subdivision 40.1(o)(4). These requirements are in addition to the commercial seasons, size limits, and trip limits for commercially harvesting tautog in New York State.

For more information, visit DEC's Tautog Tagging Program webpage or check out DEC's Youtube Video.