05-05-2010, 11:11 AM
New York Announces Changes to Fluke, Scup and Black Sea Bass Seasons
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the 2010 recreational fishing seasons and catch limits for fluke, scup and black sea bass:
1. Black Sea Bass: For 2010, DEC has set the season for May 22 to Sept. 12, a reduction from 2009 when the season was open the entire year. The change is necessary to comply with interstate and federal management measures to assist in rebuilding the black sea bass population. The minimum size limit remains at 12.5 inches and the possession limit remains 25 fish per day.
2. Scup: The regular recreational season is the same as last year - May 24 through Sept. 26. The size limit is 10.5 inches and the possession limit is 10 fish per day.
There is a new season for scup for recreational anglers aboard licensed party or charter vessels; it will run from June 8 to Sept. 6, with a minimum size limit of 11 inches and a possession limit of 10 fish per day. The scup "bonus" season for recreational anglers aboard licensed party or charter vessels will be from Sept. 7 through Oct. 11, with a size limit of 11 inches and a new daily possession limit of 40 fish.
3. Fluke: Commissioner Grannis previously announced proposed limits for fluke, also known as summer flounder, (http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/63240.html), which have now been finalized. The 2010 fluke season is a return to a longer, more traditional recreational fishing season. The recreational season for fluke will open May 15 and close Sept. 6. The minimum size limit remains at 21 inches and the possession limit remains at two fish per day.
"DEC works closely with the recreational fishing community to establish seasons and catch limits that protect and rebuild fluke, scup and black sea bass populations while providing as many fishing opportunities as possible," Commissioner Grannis said. "The 2010 limits strike that balance. Meanwhile, DEC will continue to pursue necessary changes to the federal fishing quota system to ensure that New York's anglers are not placed at a di
vantage by unfair requirements."
As a member state of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC), New York is required to develop recreational fishing limits that will prevent New York State anglers from exceeding the state's assigned fluke quota. DEC convened meetings with the Marine Resources Advisory Council - made up of representatives of the recreational fishing community -- to develop options that encompass the most popular fluke fishing periods on both the north and south shores of Long Island. Commissioner Grannis said the 2010 schedule would maintain a viable fluke fishery for all anglers, while ensuring that New York meets the federal requirements.
Last year, New York did not exceed its fluke quota for the first time in six years. That fact, combined with a federal decision to increase the overall East Coast fluke quota, means that New York anglers will enjoy a significantly higher quota for 2010: 449,000 fluke, an increase of 23 percent over 2009.
DEC adopted these changes to recreational seasons for fluke, scup and black sea bass as emergency regulations and they are currently in effect. DEC is also proposing to adopt the emergency rules as permanent; public comments on the proposed permanent rulemaking may be submitted by July 10, 2010 to fwmarine@gw.dec.state.ny.us with the subject line "2010 Fluke."
Comments can also be sent to Stephen W. Heins, NYSDEC Marine Resources, 205 Belle Mead Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733.
Media Contact<br />
Maureen Wren (518) 402-8000
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the 2010 recreational fishing seasons and catch limits for fluke, scup and black sea bass:
1. Black Sea Bass: For 2010, DEC has set the season for May 22 to Sept. 12, a reduction from 2009 when the season was open the entire year. The change is necessary to comply with interstate and federal management measures to assist in rebuilding the black sea bass population. The minimum size limit remains at 12.5 inches and the possession limit remains 25 fish per day.
2. Scup: The regular recreational season is the same as last year - May 24 through Sept. 26. The size limit is 10.5 inches and the possession limit is 10 fish per day.
There is a new season for scup for recreational anglers aboard licensed party or charter vessels; it will run from June 8 to Sept. 6, with a minimum size limit of 11 inches and a possession limit of 10 fish per day. The scup "bonus" season for recreational anglers aboard licensed party or charter vessels will be from Sept. 7 through Oct. 11, with a size limit of 11 inches and a new daily possession limit of 40 fish.
3. Fluke: Commissioner Grannis previously announced proposed limits for fluke, also known as summer flounder, (http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/63240.html), which have now been finalized. The 2010 fluke season is a return to a longer, more traditional recreational fishing season. The recreational season for fluke will open May 15 and close Sept. 6. The minimum size limit remains at 21 inches and the possession limit remains at two fish per day.
"DEC works closely with the recreational fishing community to establish seasons and catch limits that protect and rebuild fluke, scup and black sea bass populations while providing as many fishing opportunities as possible," Commissioner Grannis said. "The 2010 limits strike that balance. Meanwhile, DEC will continue to pursue necessary changes to the federal fishing quota system to ensure that New York's anglers are not placed at a di
vantage by unfair requirements."As a member state of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC), New York is required to develop recreational fishing limits that will prevent New York State anglers from exceeding the state's assigned fluke quota. DEC convened meetings with the Marine Resources Advisory Council - made up of representatives of the recreational fishing community -- to develop options that encompass the most popular fluke fishing periods on both the north and south shores of Long Island. Commissioner Grannis said the 2010 schedule would maintain a viable fluke fishery for all anglers, while ensuring that New York meets the federal requirements.
Last year, New York did not exceed its fluke quota for the first time in six years. That fact, combined with a federal decision to increase the overall East Coast fluke quota, means that New York anglers will enjoy a significantly higher quota for 2010: 449,000 fluke, an increase of 23 percent over 2009.
DEC adopted these changes to recreational seasons for fluke, scup and black sea bass as emergency regulations and they are currently in effect. DEC is also proposing to adopt the emergency rules as permanent; public comments on the proposed permanent rulemaking may be submitted by July 10, 2010 to fwmarine@gw.dec.state.ny.us with the subject line "2010 Fluke."
Comments can also be sent to Stephen W. Heins, NYSDEC Marine Resources, 205 Belle Mead Road, Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733.
Media Contact<br />
Maureen Wren (518) 402-8000