A new law (Chapter 379 of the Environmental Conservation Law) allows the Department to establish regulations for catch-and-release fishing during closed seasons or after a possession limit has been met.  Under current law (Article XI), you cannot take fish when the season is closed and you can’t take fish when a daily possession limit is met.  “Take” is defined as including:  attempting, chasing or pursuing, which together mean “fishing.”  The new law authorizes DEC to adopt regulations that can authorize catch and release fishing under these circumstances.  Mr. Colvin observed that there are a lot of practices going on, all over the state that require regulatory attention under this new chapter to address where catch and release fishing may be appropriate.  He suggested that the Council might want to make recommendations to the Department on this issue.  The Council will address take it up at a future meeting.

 

Page last modified Tuesday, November 16, 2004 by George E. Carroll