DEC’s New Regulation In Effect For Striped Bass Season
While April 1st marked the official start of striped bass season in the Hudson River, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has put into effect a new regulation for recreational anglers.
In an effort to maintain and manage a healthy striped bass population, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) proposed a regulation requiring recreational anglers to partake in the use of circle hooks, as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The usage of such hooks would aid in the reduction of the striped bass mortality rate, in addition to the new catch-and-release practice that is in effect. In the Hudson River specifically, the possession of bass is limited to one fish per angler, with a slot size of 18–28 inches in length.
According to the DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos, “Circle hooks improve the survival of fish that are returned to the water, and this requirement further supports conservation efforts that ensure we’re protecting this highly sought-after sportfish for future generations of anglers to enjoy.”
Prior to the circle hook regulation, J-hooks were commonly used, which were commonly known for gut hooking and puncturing the fish’s organs causing fatal injuries. Circle hooks catch the side of the fish’s mouth, causing the catch-and-release process to be less invasive.
With 20 years of big bass experience, U.S.C.G. Licensed Captain George Murphy, who was in the midst of fishing when asked about the usage of circle hooks said, “They [DEC] are trying to get the herds back in check. Supposedly the circle hooks don’t hook the fish in the belly…” He continued, “I don’t know how I feel about that yet, the survey is not in.”
Murphy added that the DEC added a new regulation reducing the krill limit size as well — 18 to 28 inches in the river and 35 inches up and down the east coast because “they’re trying to get the stocks back up.”
Although there are requirements specific to the Hudson River, the new regulation applies to all New York State waters where striped bass fishing occurs — including the Delaware River, the coast of Long Island and New York City, and the Federal Dam in Troy, New York.
The pandemic lockdown last year was undeniably problematic for businesses because of New York State laws, but Captain George Murphy of Hudson River Charter expressed a new concern he’s facing this year as a result of the turbid water spilling out of the Ashokan Reservoir. In part due to erosion from the major Catskill snow storm that caused flooding after the thaw, this is a major problem not only for the environment, but a large concern for his business and the fishing industry as a whole.
Captain Murphy explained, “New York City has been dumping the turbid water into the waste channel for about four months, basically starving out any aquatic life in the Esopus Creek.” As a charter boat captain, in addition to my friends who are also charter boat captains, that’s our livelihood. We depend on that.”
The Hudson Valley Riverkeeper Association stated that although these muddy releases into the Lower Esopus Creek are the least expensive way for New York City to preserve the quality of NYC drinking water, farmers, businesses, residents, and communities get hit with the costs. President and Hudson Riverkeeper Paul Gallay explained, “New York City’s DEP failed to take the required ‘hard look’ at the range of structural alternatives to minimize or avoid turbid discharges to the Lower Esopus. This is not a hard look. In fact, it’s hardly any look at all.”
This issue is especially problematic during striped bass season because specific fish serve as bait, which is essential for success in the activity. Striped Bass are opportunistic feeders who may be caught using a wide range of bait, but herring are among the most popular for recreational anglers.
“The herring come up the river, and they go into the creeks to spawn… But this year, all that water is destroying the lower Esopus. We’re essentially out of commission as far as catching bait in the river and the creeks,” shared Captain Murphy. He continued, “We’ve got customers who have pretty much waited a year. They’re all excited, but if I can’t get bait, they’re all shut out.”
While the new circle hook regulation strives to decrease the mortality rate of striped bass in New York State waters, the fishing industry is simultaneously combatting an environmental issue that is countering the DEC’s efforts.
Fortunately, there are ways you can take action and work towards change. “Right now is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for communities to demand that New York State take a hard look at alternatives to improve the management of the Ashokan Reservoir for the longer term,” said Riverkeeper Director of Community Partnerships Rebecca Martin.
Martin added, “Riverkeeper has created a community toolkit, available at Riverkeeper.org/stopthemud. People can visit the website and click ‘Take Action’ to add their name and send this message to New York State by June 16. You can also find a sample ‘memorializing resolution’ and take it to your elected officials, or your local community organization. That way each of our communities and community groups can take a stand.”
