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At the most recent, Sheepshead Bay Plumb Beach Civic meeting, it was “rumored” that Senator Chuck Shumer would be in attendance to address fishing regulation. About 30 fishing captains, which is a lot considering the amount of boats left in the bay, showed up to demand answers, and to explain to the community and leaders that they are being forced out of the recreational fishing business.
Each year, the Federal Department of Commerce, through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), sets limits on size, daily catch, and fishing season length for recreational catches of summer flounder or “flukeâ€, for the coastal waters stretching from North Carolina to Massachusetts. The NMFS then chooses either to adopt one “coast wide†set of regulations for the entire coast or different regulations on a state-by-state basis. It was recently voted again to keep it State by State, federal law requires that the states are treated fairly and that the regulations are based on the best available scientific data, which happens to be a report more than 10 years old.
The new regulations subject New York to the strictest catch limits of any other state, including neighboring states. For example, New Yorkers can keep four fewer fish per day than New Jersey anglers. New Yorkers are also only allowed to keep fluke over 20.5 inches — two and a half inches longer than those that can be kept by New Jersey anglers — barring New Yorkers from keeping most of the fish they catch. The NMFS based the new regulations on a survey conducted almost 10 years ago; experts have severely criticized this survey as being scientifically invalid . Finally, there is no evidence that the state-by-state regulations adopted by the NMFS properly conserves the population of fluke, which is the ultimate goal of these regulations.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is forced to comply and enforce these strict federal restrictions.
For 2009 season, the minimum size limit will be 21 inches, compared to 20.5 last year. The bag limit will be two fish, down from four. Additionally, there will be a split season:
Open May 15 – June 15.
Closed June 16 – July 2.
Open July 3 – August 17.
Closed thereafter.
New York filed a federal lawsuit challenging the methods and data used to manage coastal fluke populations. The lawsuit claims that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated federal law by using outdated and scientifically unreliable data to establish fluke harvest limits along the Atlantic Coast, resulting in inequitable treatment of New York anglers.
New York is prepared to quickly make adjustments to the fluke season and bag limits in the event that the court renders a favorable decision this season, the DEC commissioner said.
Admittedly, The DEC commissioner said in a press release that “the limits are not ideal but are the best compromise for all of New York’s anglers under the severe federal restrictions. While making the adjustments for 2009, we will continue to use all available means to ensure that New York’s anglers are not placed at a disadvantage by unfair federal requirements.”
If something isn’t changed soon, the federal government is forcing sheepshead bay fishing fleet out.
What a shame, last time we went on the Capt. Dave only two of our catch were ‘keepers’.
Is it true that the Marilyn Jean is out of commission due to a fire on board?
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I believe the MJ is in the boat yard for its annual coast guard inspection and to get dolled up for this season.
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Well somebody needs to do something to keep what’s left of the fishing fleet there or someone will start lobbying to have the bay filled in so they can build more condos.
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tougher regulations are needed because in ten years there will be nothing to catch. as far as the condos people keep whining about: we live in a market-driven economy last time I checked. as long as there is demand, there will be supply. what does puzzle me, however, is that people are willing to pay these exorbitant sums of money for what appears to be very substandard dwellings.
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Andy – NY and NJ Boats fish in the same water – why should the regulations be drastically different based on where you fish from? It’s a violation of our fishermen’s rights. Ten years ago, fish population numbers were down and limited were warranted, but not anymore. Regulations should be maintained, not made stricter.
Add to this that the state looks like it’s going to impose a saltwater fishing license, and it spells big trouble for all fishing fleets on Long Island, but especially what’s left of Sheepshead Bay fleet.
Then add to that the fact that no one is willing to take responsibility for dredging the mouth of Sheepshead Bay (The Atlantis bottoms out when it enters and leaves!) and you have a whole big mess that no one either cares about or is willing to stick their neck out to straighten out.
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@SB/PB Civic, This is sad very sad they are killing all that we know and love. There is no reasonable explanation that brooklyn (basically) has been singled out. They built those really nice piers in Sheepsheadbay and now they will eventually force all of the boats to relocate or just decomission. I say this cause without customers and money they will not survive. Please someone help us all, no one here is criminal we just want to be able to drive down Emmons ave and look at the boats, go fishing with our families, enjoy the little pleasures we have left. Stop hurting the working people!!!!!
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Arr, I hate the sea and everything in it.
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They will not be Happy until the Bay is all white and pretty and the fishing fleet is all but a memory. i really could not imagine driving by with my kids some day and saying that there was once a fishing fleet.
They have turned Brooklyn into something else.
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stop dwelling in the past. times change and so does Brooklyn. move on, adjust and prosper.
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I think andy is a real neckbone. Beat it wit Andy already.
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I could be wrong but i think the reason for the yet stiffer regs. is so that the fleets be forced
out making it better for dredging purposes. Good luck proving this!
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