Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

In This Issue:

• Mid-Atlantic Marine Fishery Management Council June 2022 Meeting
• Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program
• Changes to Commercial Fishing Limits
• Shellfish Restoration Council Meeting - June 7
• Watch for Marine Life in New York's Waters
• Celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council June 2022 Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) will be meeting Tuesday, June 7 – Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Riverhead, New York. This meeting will be conducted as a hybrid meeting and members of the public participating in person and remotely will have opportunities to provide oral comments during the meeting. 

The in-person meeting will be held at Atlantis Banquets and Events, 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901. For webinar meeting details, visit MAFMC's website. A detailed agenda (PDF) is available. Below is an overview of agenda items scheduled for this meeting.

Tuesday, June 7, 2 pm: Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda

MAFMC will meet with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMCF) Interstate Fishery Management Program Policy Board to consider taking final action on the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda, which considers changes to the process for setting recreational bag, size, and season limits for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish.

Wednesday, June 8, 1:30 pm: Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Phase II

MAFMC will review Phase Two of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), which focuses on reducing the risk of entanglement to right, humpback, and fin whales in U.S. East Coast gillnet, Atlantic mixed-species trap/pot, and MidAtlantic lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries.

Wednesday, June 8, 2:30 pm: Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch Draft Action Plan

MAFMC will review the Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large Mesh Gillnet Fisheries (PDF), which considers a range of potential measures to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch in federal large mesh gillnet fisheries

Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program

Striped bass is New York's official saltwater fish and is highly sought-after by recreational anglers in New York's marine waters and the Hudson River. DEC is seeking participants to join the Striped Bass Cooperative Angler (SBCA) Program to help biologists understand and maintain a healthy striped bass population.

Watch this video to learn more about the SBCA and visit DEC's website to sign-up.

Before fishing, be sure to check the Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for the most up-to-date information before going fishing and enroll in the annual no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.

Remember, anglers are required to use circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with bait. Check DEC's website for Best Practices for Saltwater Fishing and more tips for safe fish handling.

Changes to Commercial Fishing Limits

The following changes only apply to New York State Commercial Food Fish License Holders.

Black Sea Bass

• Effective Sunday, June 5, 2022, the daily trip limit for black sea bass is set at 240 lbs.
• This trip limit will remain in effect until further notice

Summer Flounder (For holders of a Summer Flounder permit only.)

• Effective Sunday, June 5, 2022, the daily trip limit for summer flounder is set at 280 lbs.
• This daily trip limit will remain in effect until further notice.

Scup 

• Effective Thursday, June 16, 2022, the weekly program is closed, all weekly trips must be landed by 11:59 pm on June 15, 2022. The daily trip limit continues to be set at 900 lbs. through June 30, 2022, unless otherwise notified.
• Effective Friday, July 1, 2022, the daily trip limit for scup is set at 800 lbs.
• This daily trip limit will remain in effect until further notice. 

For the current commercial fishing limits in effect, visit DEC's website.

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.

Shellfish Restoration Council Webinar Meeting - June 7

The New York Shellfish Restoration Council (SRC) will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, June 7 from 5 -7 pm. 

To participate in the meeting, launch the Zoom call and select “Open Zoom Meetings” when prompted. You may also dial into the meeting by calling: (929) 436-2866 and Meeting ID: 526 065 3681.

The SRC meeting will cover updates on New York shellfish restoration projects and on the development of a comprehensive, science-based, and stakeholder-driven state shellfish restoration plan. The primary purpose of this meeting is for council members to deliberate on the organizational framework of the plan’s development. There will be opportunities for public comments and questions throughout both the meeting and the plan’s development process. The SRC will develop the plan in coordination with DEC and other organizations through a process facilitated by The Pew Charitable Trusts and Due East Partners. For more information, visit DEC’s website.

Watch for Marine Life in New York's Waters

New York's ocean waters are home to various kinds of marine life, including large whales and dolphins! Whales and dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and boaters must remain at a distance from marine life for everyone's safety:

• 50 yards from dolphins and porpoises
• 100 yards from all whales (except North Atlantic right whales, see below)
• 500 yards from North Atlantic right whales

If a marine mammal approaches you, remember to idle your engine and not re-engage power until the whale has cleared your path. Attempting to leave the area may interrupt natural behaviors such as feeding, nursing, resting, and traveling, or could result in a vessel strike causing harm to the whale and/or boat. 

Report all sightings of marine mammals or sea turtles to DEC by using our Flipper Files digital survey. If you suspect a marine mammal or sea turtle is sick or injured, call the New York Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829 to report the animal.

Learn more about the different types of Marine Mammals in New York and for more information on marine wildlife viewing safety visit NOAA's Marine Life Viewing Guidelines.

Celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8

June 8 is World Oceans Day! The ocean connects and sustains New Yorkers to each other and the global economy. The ocean provides invaluable resources including important fisheries and shellfisheries, abundant recreation and tourism, and produces over half of the earth's oxygen!

DEC encourages you to take time on World Oceans Day to appreciate and enjoy all the ocean provides.

• Take a sustainable visit to a State Park Beach near you - make sure to take only pictures and leave only footprints.
• Join a community scientist effort to help research and protect the vital ocean ecosystem.
• Explore and share activities from New York Sea Grant's Plastic Pollution and You curriculum or DEC's I FISH NY lesson plans.
• Learn about alternatives to balloon releases and take a pledge to prevent balloon litter that can be deadly to ocean life (Bonus – get your friends to join your pledge).
• Check out New York’s Ocean Action Plan for more information about the ongoing efforts to protect and conserve ocean resources in New York's coastal waters.