Councilor Davi had asked to discuss the current 10-fish by-catch limit for blackfish (tautog) faced by commercial lobstermen.  He would like to see the limit on blackfish caught as by-catch in lobster traps raised to 25 fish.  He thought that, in return, lobsterman would be willing to live with no blackfish by-catch allowed in July and August.

Mr. Colvin recollected that, some time ago, when the DEC was developing commercial and recreational regulations for the blackfish fishery, the Council adopted a position that recommended that DEC manage the commercial blackfish fishery as a by-catch only fishery.   At the time, the Council expressed concern that the demand represented by the live fish market might result in commercial fishermen targeting blackfish, which traditionally had been a largely recreational species.  The current 25-fish commercial possession limit on blackfish ultimately evolved as a reasonable approximation; the 10-fish by-catch limit aboard a lobster boat was viewed as a reasonable number of fish that a lobsterman might bring home, as opposed to a higher number, because this might spur a directed fishing effort.  If the Council wished to re-examine its recommendation that blackfish be managed basically on a by-catch basis in commercial fisheries, the Department would hear and consider its views.

Blackfish catch data from lobster pots are conflicting.  NMFS records show less blackfish being caught in lobster traps as opposed to DEC's own survey, which shows the number as being significantly higher.  Chairman Wise recommended that this issue be tabled until the Council’s May 2004 meeting, at which time the Council can take up the issue again having had the opportunity to review the relevant catch and other data and information.

Councilor Freierman brought up the topic of trawlers and the current 7-fish bycatch limit they face for striped bass.  She thought this rule should be eliminated, as it often results in striped bass being dumped back overboard.  She suggested that trawl fishermen be allowed to use up their allotment of striped bass commercial tags as efficiently as possible. Ms. Freierman asked that this topic be put on the agenda of a future Council meeting, noting that there are many different views on this issue.  Chairman Wise stated that the Council would discuss this matter more fully at its May 2004 meeting.  He will also look into past Council discussions/positions on the striped bass by-catch allowance for trawl fishermen and distribute this to the Council before the May 2004 meeting.

Councilor Dearborn noted that, the striped bass recreational measures were initially set there was a threshold established and a maximum.  The target threshold has already been exceeded.  She voiced concern that the maximum catch may be met in the next few years and this might trigger some sort of numerical quota based on historic catches, similar to that used in regulating summer flounder and scup fisheries.  In that scenario, Ms. Dearborn cautioned, New York might get hurt because it has always been very conservative in its management of this species (e.g., retaining a 1-fish general recreational possession limit on striped bass, when it could have gone to 2-fish and remained in compliance with the ASMFC Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan).  She suggested that the Council and DEC examine this issue at a future meeting.

 

Page last modified Thursday, April 8, 2004 by George E. Carroll