Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

In This Issue: 

• Recreational Regulation Changes to Black Sea Bass and Scup
• NOAA Seeks Comments on Proposed Hudson Canyon Sanctuary
• Long Island Commercial Fishing Survey – Input Needed for 2022
• Home Sweet Home: A Place for Birds and People
• Upcoming Meetings

Recreational Regulation Changes to Black Sea Bass and Scup

DEC announced new recreational saltwater fishing regulations for black sea bass and scup in New York’s Marine and Coastal District. These regulatory changes take effect immediately and are necessary for New York State to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) by reducing the recreational harvest of scup and black sea bass. Failure to implement these restrictions would place New York out of compliance with ASMFC requirements and result in the closure of these recreational fisheries.

Black Sea Bass

New York’s recreational black sea bass season opens June 23, and the minimum size limit is 16 inches. From June 23 through Aug. 31, recreational anglers may possess three black sea bass per day; and from Sept. 1 until Dec. 31, anglers are allowed six fish per day.

New York State is required to reduce harvest by 20.7 percent per a decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under federal rules filed June 9. New York is complying with the new rule by increasing the minimum size limit by one inch and reducing the possession limit from seven to six fish from Sept 1. through Dec. 31 season dates.

Scup

The recreational minimum size limit for scup in New York is 10 inches and the season is open year-round. Recreational anglers may possess 30 fish per day and anglers aboard licensed party/charter boats may possess 50 fish from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. New York State’s increased recreational minimum size limit for scup maintains consistency with the size limit in federal waters.

Comment Period Opens on July 6

The complete text of the rulemaking is available on DEC's website. DEC is accepting comments on the regulations from July 6, through Sept. 6, 2022. Written comments can be sent by mail to Rachel Sysak, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY 11754, or by email to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov.

For current regulations, check DEC's Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations. Anglers must enroll in the annual no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry before fishing New York's Marine and Coastal District waters or when fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries for "migratory fish of the sea". Anglers can enroll for the registry online or by phone or by visiting a license issuing agent location.

Photo credit: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)

NOAA Seeks Comments on Proposed Hudson Canyon Sanctuary

NOAA is seeking public comment on potentially designating a new national marine sanctuary in Hudson Canyon off the coast of New York and New Jersey. A sanctuary designation would help conserve the area’s rich marine wildlife and habitats, promote sustainable economic activities, and create new opportunities for scientific research, ocean education, and recreation.

The National Marine Sanctuaries Act allows NOAA to designate and protect areas of the ocean and Great Lakes with special national significance. As directed by President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, NOAA and other federal agencies are pursuing a holistic approach to curbing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to climate change and its impacts, including by conserving and restoring ocean and coastal ecosystems. This action is consistent with that approach, including seeking to expand the National Marine Sanctuary System as one recommendation of the Administration’s America the Beautiful initiative.

Hudson Canyon is the largest underwater canyon along the U.S. Atlantic Coast, and is about 100 miles off the coast of New York and New Jersey. The canyon ⁠— about 2 to 2.5 miles deep and up to 7.5 miles wide⁠—  provides habitat for a range of protected and sensitive species, including sperm whales, sea turtles and deep sea corals. The canyon’s rich biodiversity is integral to the region’s economy, underpinning commercial and recreational fisheries, recreational diving, whale-watching and birding. 

Public Comment Period Open until August 8

The public can comment on the proposed Hudson Canyon sanctuary designation through the Federal eRulemaking Portal and by searching docket number NOAA-NOS-2022-0053. In addition, NOAA will host public meetings during which members of the public can offer oral comments. A detailed description of the proposed sanctuary, additional information about opportunities to provide comments, and information about the public meetings can be found on NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries website.

Photo credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Long Island Commercial Fishing Survey – Input Needed for 2022

The Long Island Commercial Fishing Survey is conducted annually by New York Sea Grant, Suffolk County Economic Development & Planning, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, and the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association to ensure that the voices of Long Island fishermen are being heard and translated into actionable items.

The 2022 survey is ACTIVE and all fishermen are strongly encouraged to complete the survey. Results from the survey can be used to better understand the industry and assist the industry, researchers, policymakers, and State and Federal agencies in providing the resources and support necessary to promote a viable and sustainable fishing industry.

The completed 2021 Long Island Commercial Fishing Survey Report can be found online (PDF) and offers an up-to-date profile of the Long Island commercial fishing industry that is meant to assist with evaluating the needs of local fishermen and characterize the harvesting and processing capacity of the industry, support businesses, and people engaged in this livelihood.

Home Sweet Home: A Place for Birds and People

All along the Atlantic coast, people love going to the beach. The sun, the surf, and the memories we create with our friends and families make the beach a special place. We fish, play, fly kites, walk our dogs, and relax while some of our most imperiled wildlife attempt to feed, rest, and raise their young nearby. For shorebirds like Piping Plover and Red Knot, and seabirds like the Roseate Tern, the beach is ‘home sweet home.’ Every year, as we flock to our favorite beach destination for sun and fun, shorebirds and seabirds return from their wintering areas in the Caribbean and South America to eat, rest, mate, and raise their young on the beach. These birds face many threats during migration, including loss of habitat, hunting, predation, climate change, and human disturbance that keep them from the food they need to survive. 

Learn how you can share the shore and help these beach birds survive, or check out this short video about sharing the beach.

Photo credit and story courtesy of Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative.

Upcoming Meetings

Marine Resources Advisory Council Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 12 (evening meeting time TBD)
Location: DEC Division of Marine Resources 123 Kings Park Blvd, Kings Park

A link to listen to the meeting will be available on DEC's website prior to the meeting. Once available, a complete agenda for the meeting can be found on Marine Resources Advisory Council's website. 

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Management Commission Summer Meeting

Date: August 1 - August 4, 2022
Location: The Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202

For meeting details, visit ASMFC's website. 

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) August Meeting

Date: August 8 - August 11, 2022
Location: The Notary Hotel, 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

For meeting details, visit MAFMC's website.