Hudson RiverNet
News from the Hudson River Estuary Program

In this Issue:

• Join Hudson River Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers 
• Proposed Regulations for Circle Hooks 
• DEC Seeks Nominations for Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Committee 

Hudson River Striped Bass Anglers: DEC Seeks Volunteers

Do you fish for striped bass in the tidal Hudson River? Whether you catch-and-release or take home a keeper, you can be part of the Hudson River Cooperative Angler Program. Share your fishing trip information and help biologists understand and manage our striped bass fishery.

Here's how it works: Fill out a logbook we provide or record your trips on your smartphone using DEC's Hudson River online logbook, whenever you fish on the tidal Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge, whether by boat or on the shore. Record general location, time, gear used, what you caught (or if you didn't catch anything), and return the logbook when you are done fishing. You'll receive an annual newsletter summarizing the recreational fishery information, in addition to the latest news regarding the Hudson River and saltwater fishing regulations.

In the tidal Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge, the recreational slot limit is 18” - 28” (not less than 18” nor greater than 28”) and the season is open April 1 – November 30. Visit Tidal Hudson River Regulations for more information.

Join today! For more information on the angler program and instructions on installing the Survey123 App to access the online logbook, visit Hudson River Cooperative Angler or email hudsonangler@dec.ny.gov.

Note: If you primarily fish for striped bass in New York’s marine waters south of the George Washington Bridge, please contact the Diadromous Fish Unit at sbcaprogram@dec.ny.gov or visit DEC’s Striped Bass Cooperative Angler website. In marine waters, the recreational slot limit is 28” - 35” (not less than 28” nor greater than 35”) and the season is open April 15 – December 15. Visit Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for more information.

2021 Striped Bass Recreational Circle Hook Regulations

On January 6, 2021, DEC released a 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) Addendum VI to Amendment 6 (PDF) to address the finding that the striped bass resource is overfished and experiencing overfishing.

DEC is accepting public comments on the proposal through Mar. 8, 2021. You can find the full text of the proposed regulation on DEC's website. Send comments on the proposed circle hook regulation to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov or mail to: Division of Marine Resources, 205 N. Belle Mead Rd. Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733.

Catch-and-release practices contribute significantly to overall fishing mortality in the recreational striped bass fishery, and circle hooks work effectively to increase survival. ASMFC met on February 3, 2021 to discuss the implementation of the circle hook provision due to the complicated nature of the public response received so far. In the near future, ASMFC will generate guidance on bait definitions and the methods of fishing that should require circle hooks. DEC will take into consideration the updated ASMFC guidance and public comment gathered in response to the proposed rule to establish a final regulation for the 2021 fishing season.

DEC Seeks Nominations for Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Committee 

DEC is accepting nominations to serve on the Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Committee (HREMAC). The committee's volunteer members are appointed by DEC's commissioner and represent a variety of interests including recreational fishing, research, education, conservation, local government, marine trades, and industry. HREMAC meets three - four times per year and provides a forum where the views and opinions of committee members can be shared with state resource managers. Interested parties should submit a letter of interest and a resume to hrep@dec.ny.gov by March 31, 2021. DEC's commissioner will make appointments to the committee after the nominations have been reviewed.

The next HREMAC meeting will be held March 4, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Meetings are open to the public and are being held by WebEx. Join by video or by phone +1-518-549-0500 USA (Toll); Access code: 178 236 9162. Please RSVP your attendance to hrep@dec.ny.gov. For more information about the Hudson River Estuary Management Advisory Committee including recent meeting minutes, please visit the HREMAC webpage on DEC's website.