Saltwater Fishing & Boating Newsletter

In This Issue:

• Recreational Black Sea Bass Public Meeting & Angler Survey
• ASMFC Public Hearing Webinar on American Lobster
• Plastic Pollution and You: NY Sea Grant Curriculum 
• Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol
• Upcoming Fishing Events 
• Summer Employment Opportunities

Recreational Black Sea Bass Public Meeting & Angler Survey

DEC will hold a public meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 6:00 pm, located at the Division of Marine Resources Headquarters, 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, to review 2023 recreational regulation options and seek public feedback.

Anglers are encouraged to complete the Recreational Black Sea Bass Angler Survey to provide feedback on potential regulations for 2023. 

Details to listen to the livestream of the meeting are available below. Attendees joining the livestream online or by phone are limited to listening only.

• Join online: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=m13c9cca20a698c3e3405c367fa37597d 
• Join by phone: Dial 518-549-0500 and enter access code): 161 943 7328, webinar password: BSBScup2023 (27272872 from phones) 

ASMFC Public Hearing Webinar on American Lobster

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) American Lobster Draft Addendum XXVII to Amendment 3 (PDF) considers measures to increase the protection of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) spawning stock. Draft Addendum XXVII also considers the standardization of management measures across Lobster Conservation Management Areas with the goal of providing a consistent conservation strategy and simplifying enforcement across management areas and interstate commerce. 

A virtual public hearing will be held for New York State on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Register for the virtual public hearing online.

ASMFC is accepting comments on the Draft Addendum through March 31, 2023. Written comments may be sent to Caitlin Starks, Senior FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland Street
Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201 or by email to: comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Lobster Draft Addendum XXVII)

For additional details, visit ASMFC's Public Input webpage. 

Plastic Pollution and You: NY Sea Grant Curriculum 

New York Sea Grant published “Plastic Pollution and You” a 15-lesson curriculum focused on a human-induced threat to the health of New York’s marine and freshwater aquatic ecosystems. 

The curriculum is designed to be appropriate for multiple grade levels, meets New York State and Next Generation Learning Standards, and aligns with the New York Ocean Action Plan and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program. Funding for this curriculum development was provided through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund administered by DEC. Skills developed through the curriculum lessons include data collection, charting, mapping, position statement preparation, and the design of technological solutions, behavior change campaigns, public policy, and community-level action to address the plastic pollution problem.

Check out NY SeaGrant's YouTube Video for more information on the curriculum. To receive a copy, please submit a request using the Plastic Pollution & You Curriculum Request Form.

Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

Humpback Whale Washes up at Lido Beach – Nassau County
On Jan. 30, Lieutenant Reilly, along with ECOs Dickson and Smith, responded to reports of a humpback whale found deceased at Lido Beach Town Park. The Officers spent the day securing the scene with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement, Nassau County Police, Town of Hempstead Bay Constables, and Town of Hempstead Public Safety. The ECOs also performed public outreach throughout the day and coordinated plans for a necropsy and burial with Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS). On Jan. 31, Lt. Reilly and ECOs Pabes and Giarratana continued site security and observed the necropsy and burial process. The 40-year-old male humpback whale was 41 feet long and weighed 14.5 tons. The necropsy revealed it was likely killed by a vessel strike.

Photo caption: ECO Smith and NOAA federal agent assessing the 41-foot humpback whale

Dolphin Washes Up on Egypt Beach – Suffolk County
On Jan. 29, ECOs Della Rocco, Vandenbos, and Zullo responded to a complaint of a deceased dolphin that had washed up on Egypt Beach in Easthampton. When the Officers arrived, they found the seven-foot common dolphin and transported it to the Ridge Conservation Area to have a necropsy conducted to determine the cause of death in cooperation with partners at AMSEAS. Assisting biologists to conduct this important research helps ECOs better understand how to help preserve marine life populations.

New York Boat Show Weekend – New York County
It’s not yet boating season, but that didn’t stop boating and fishing enthusiasts from across the state from attending the New York Boat Show at the Javits Center in New York City from Jan. 25 - 29. In addition to checking out the boats on display, attendees visited DEC’s Marine Fisheries booth. ECOs were on hand throughout the show to answer questions about saltwater fishing regulations and other maritime issues.  

Photo caption: ECO Keegan fielding questions at New York Boat Show

Something’s Fishy at the Seafood Facility – Suffolk County
On Jan. 4, ECOs Kaufherr, McGhee, Paschke, and Zullo conducted a compliance check on a seafood facility in Cutchogue. During the inspection, the Officers found a mule deer head in the facility’s freezer, along with two coolers full of deer meat and a coyote pelt. The ECOs conducted several interviews and determined the mule deer was harvested in Montana, a state with increased cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a highly contagious and fatal disease affecting cervid populations including deer, moose, and elk. The Officers seized the deer head and ticketed the individual who had imported it with possessing deer parts from another state. ECOs then sent the deer head to an incinerator to prevent the potential spread of CWD. For more information on CWD and restrictions to prevent its spread, visit DEC's website.

Upcoming Fishing Events

New York Sportfishing Federation Freeport Fishing & Boating Show
Dates: Saturday, February 18, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm and Sunday, February 19, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E Merrick Rd, Freeport, NY
Adults $15.00 / Seniors over 65 $12.00 / Children under 16 Free

Ward Melville High School Saltwater Fishing Expo
Date: Saturday, March 4, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Rd, East Setauket NY 11733
This event is free to the public. 

Summer Employment Opportunities

Would you like to work in New York State's beautiful Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves this summer?

2023 Summer Camps Program

We are actively recruiting Directors, Assistant Directors, Waterfront Directors, Cooks, Nurses, EMTs, Counselors, and Camp Aides for the 2023 Summer Camps Program. All positions offer competitive salaries, plus room and board for the summer.

Locations of DEC Summer Camps:

• Camp Colby in Saranac Lake;
• Camp Pack Forest in Warrensburg;
• Camp Rushford in Caneadea; and
• Camp DeBruce, near Livingston Manor.

DEC Summer Camps combine environmental education, hunter education, and outdoor recreation to create an adventurous experience for youth. Camp staff engage campers in ecological principles such as field, forest, aquatic, wildlife, and human impact and outdoor skills including backpacking, camping, and canoeing. Learn more about the employment opportunities and how you can apply to work at DEC Environmental Education Camps.

DEC Campgrounds and Day-use Areas

Be a part of a team that helps vacationers enjoy the great outdoors in the Catskill Forest Preserve and Adirondack Park. Positions available include Lifeguard, Maintenance, Security, Supervisor, and more! Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.

For more information on available positions or to apply for a position call 518-457-2500, e-mail campinfo@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Campground Seasonal Employment webpage on DEC's website.

Lifeguard Positions

Seasonal lifeguard positions are available at DEC campgrounds. The current hourly starting rate for New York State lifeguards is $20 an hour, and most DEC facilities offer free housing or site accommodations.

Candidates who qualify will be considered for employment. The qualifying procedure consists of two parts: a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills component; and a water skills evaluation. Candidates may attend the qualifying location most convenient to them and the results will be forwarded to their preferred work location. 

At the time of employment, all DEC lifeguards must:

• Be at least 15 years old;
• Possess a valid certification in Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent;
• Successfully completed the New York State lifeguard qualifying procedure;
• Submitted a current New York State DEC medical form stating the candidate's physical ability to perform lifeguard duties;
• Meet the vision requirement of 20/70 uncorrected in both eyes and be correctable to the 20/40 standard. Candidates tested at a vision level below 20/40 in either one or both eyes must correct to a minimum of 20/40 with 20/20 preferred;
• Completed a personal interview with DEC; and
• Attended a DEC lifeguard orientation.

For more information, updates, or to pre-register, call 518-457-2500 ext. #1, e-mail Info.Lifeguard@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Lifeguard Positions webpage on DEC's website.