Hudson RiverNet
News from the Hudson River Estuary Program

In This Issue

• Not All Scientists Wear Lab Coats: Women in Science Webinar Jan. 20, 3 - 4 p.m. 
• DEC Proposes Circle Hook Requirement For 2021 Recreational Striped Bass Fishing 
• DEC Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Now Open

Not All Scientists Wear Lab Coats: Join the Webinar January 20

Join fisheries biologists Amanda Higgs and Jessica Best as they discuss their research about the migratory fish of the tidal Hudson River during the next Women in Science webinar on January 20, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. They will talk about how they track fish species in the Hudson and how technology helps scientists see fish on the bottom of the river, making the invisible visible.

Amanda Higgs earned a bachelor's in biology from Villanova University. She grew up along the Hudson, where she continues to live with her family, and began working with DEC's Hudson River Fisheries Unit in 1999. Throughout her career, she has worked with many species that spawn or mature in the Hudson River. Amanda is the New York State member of the Atlantic sturgeon technical committee of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (AFSMC), a coast-wide management commission for migratory fish. She is involved with Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon research and management, managing the Hudson River Fisheries adult Atlantic sturgeon program to monitor spawning Atlantic sturgeon, fish that average 6-feet-long and weigh more than 100 pounds.

Jessica Best earned a bachelor's in zoology from Ohio State University, where she found her passion for aquatic ecology and fisheries science. Her love for the Hudson and ocean migrants began when she first joined the Hudson River Fisheries Unit in 2007. She is currently a New York State representative on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s striped bass tagging subcommittee, where members from all the east coast states collaborate to tag and manage striped bass. Jess enjoys helping out on all the fisheries projects, but her primary responsibilities are the spawning stock survey for striped bass and American shad, the blue crab survey, the Hudson River Cooperative Angler Program, and commercial monitoring of American eels. Register for the Zoom webinar. Space is limited.

DEC Proposes Circle Hook Requirement For 2021 Recreational Striped Bass Fishing Season

DEC has released a new proposed regulation for public review and comment that would require the use of circle hooks when recreational fishing for Atlantic striped bass. This proposed regulation would reduce release mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Catch-and-release practices contribute significantly to overall fishing mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries and circle hooks work effectively to increase survival. The Atlantic coast-wide harvest of Atlantic striped bass is managed by ASMFC.

DEC is accepting public comments on the proposal through Mar. 8, 2021. The proposed regulation includes all New York State waters where recreational fishing for Atlantic striped bass occurs, including coastal waters of Long Island and New York City, the Delaware River, and the Hudson River to the Federal Dam in Troy, New York. The full text of the proposed regulation can be found on DEC's website. 

Comments on the proposed circle hook regulation should be sent by March 8, 2021 to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov or by mail to: Division of Marine Resources, 205 N. Belle Mead Rd. Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733. After reviewing public comments, DEC will be adopting and publishing a final regulation. The open seasons and size limits striped bass in all New York waters have not changed for 2021.

DEC Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Now Open

DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery has announced its annual spring seedling sale, which is open to the public and runs until May 12. Each year, the tree nursery offers for sale dozens of low-cost, New York-grown tree and shrub species to help implement large-scale conservation plantings across the state.

The tree nursery has more than 50 conifer and hardwood species available in bundles of 25 or more, plus several mixed-species packets for those looking for a variety. For more information, including how to order, visit the Spring Seedling Sale webpage on DEC's website. Some species sell out early; DEC encourages the public to place orders by phone for the most up-to-date availability information.

In addition, applications are now being accepted for the tree nursery's School Seedling Program. From now until March 31, schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings to plant with students.