NY’s 2016 Recreational Black Sea Bass Regulations

by | Feb 19, 2016 | News | 3 comments

NY Black Sea Bass Memo – 2-2016

MEMORANDUM

  • TO: Marine Recreational Fishing Public
  • FROM: John Maniscalco
  • RE: NY’s 2016 Recreational Black Sea Bass Regulations
  • DATE: February 18, 2016

ISSUE: Black sea bass recreational harvest has exceeded 2015 limits in the northern region. New York (along with all states from Massachusetts to New Jersey) is required to develop more restrictive rules governing recreational black sea bass fishing in order to restrain harvest to the 2016 limits. The required reduction is estimated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to be 23.2%. Preliminary MRIP Wave 6 data became fully available on February 18, 2016.

The purpose of this memo is to provide interested and involved constituents with some idea of what the required reduction could look like in terms of regulatory adjustments so that they can consider the matter and provide the Bureau of Marine Resources (BMR) with feedback.

Compliance with the minimum size limit in 2015 was poor and changes to the minimum size will not be considered for 2016. All options in the table below include a 14.0” minimum size.

As was done last year, interested parties can request additional options by email (john.maniscalco@dec.ny.gov) or phone (631-444-0437). All constructive and productive suggestions will be considered to the best of my ability and the limitations of the data. The goal is to generate a list of options that meet the required 23.2% reduction by March 1, 2016 that can be used by both NY’s Marine Resource Advisory Council (MRAC) and the BMR. MRAC is next scheduled to meet on March 22 at 7:00PM at the DEC Offices.

***For additional consideration, a regional option is currently being considered by Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Would the NY Public support the following 2016 regional measure? 14.0” minimum size, 3 fish from July 23-August 31 and 5 fish from Sept. 1-Dec. 31

3 Comments

  1. Bill Trageser on March 7, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    I Think your numbers are flawed. I am not sure what you base them on but they seem to be arbitrary. I do not support these reductions and I feel the limits should be increased for recreational anglers. A minimum size of 14 inches is reasonable however, the bag limits and season closures are an outrage. I suggest a bag limit of at least 10 fish per man with an open season from January to December

  2. Joseph C Jordan on March 8, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    Would NY State consider adopting a 15″ – 5 fish limit and May 1 – Dec 31 season to assist in symmetry with adjoining CT waters as they’ve done with Fluke, striped bass…?

  3. Captain tom Jedlicka on June 16, 2016 at 1:50 am

    There is a remarkable amount of Black Sea bass from block island west to gardeners island. Increase the size limit to 16″ and have DEC do there job and inforse the law. In my 7 years fishing out of Montaulk yacht club I have never been boarded and only have seen DEC out on a boat once. Having a chance to talk with them on several occasions they tell me budget and superiors have them on other tasks. I see the wrongs out in Montaulk every day.