Councilor John Davi noted that, at a previous meeting, the Department had indicated it was pondering putting out two new rules affecting commercial crab and lobster fishing.  One rule that might be proposed was to require that escape vent panels installed on lobster/crab pots be so designed that they fell open, rather than into the interior of the pot.  He questioned whether any pots so designed were available.  Secondly, the possibility that commercial taking of horseshoe crabs might be banned along selected beaches that are popular with swimmers.  He noted that many conch fishermen took horseshoe crabs for use as bait, often from the beach, and he was concerned about the possibility of interfering with this practice.  What beaches would be potentially affected?  He also suggested that the Department’s earlier proposal to prohibit the placing of commercial crab and/or lobster pots within 200 feet of a navigation channel would seriously impact pot fishermen in some areas.

Mr. Colvin replied that the Department intended to modify its original proposal on the “within 200 feet of a navigation channel” prohibition on setting pots.  What the revised number will be remains to be seen.  Regarding establish areas along beaches where commercial horseshoe crabbing would be banned, Mr. Colvin noted that such action would be taken thru Commissioner’s order.  The two areas that would be considered for closure are 1) beaches owned and operated by local, state, or federal government and managed primarily for public recreation and 2) areas where migratory shorebirds are known to regularly feed on horseshoe crab eggs.  At the moment, there is scant information available to identify the latter areas in New York’s Marine District.  He noted that these issues would incorporated into regular meetings with those in the commercial lobster and crabbing industries regarding management needs and proposed actions involving those fisheries.  If local governments approach DEC with a request to close their beaches to crabbing, the Department will attempt to facilitate direct discussions between those governments and commercial fishermen.

In response to a question from Councilor Dean Yaxa, Mr. Colvin stated that any prohibition on taking horseshoe crabs from the beach would most likely apply to the intertidal area, between Mean Low Water and Mean High Water.  Mr. Yaxa stated that many clammers will probably oppose such a ban because they supplement their clam income by harvesting horseshoe crabs. 

John German of the Long Island Sound Lobsterman’s Association stated that the rest of the lobster industry on the East Coast uses pots with escape panels that fall inward.  He sees no reason for New York to move to a panel that falls outward.  If the pot rolls, the vent panel is more likely to tear off if it outside the gear.  He also wanted to know of one area along Long Island’s coastline that isn’t mainly dedicated to or managed for public recreation.  To ban taking of horseshoe crabs in these areas could potentially put the entire shoreline off limits.  He can’t understand why birds take precedent over people.  He also disagreed with a DEC proposal to, under certain emergency situations, allow one commercial lobster tag holder to fish someone else’s gear.  He urged the Department to retain the current requirement that the holder of the lobster tags must be on the boat when a vessel is engaged in commercial lobstering.  Mr. German asked whether the Department will again propose to the Legislature this year that it be given regulatory authority over lobsters.  Mr. Colvin responded that he did not know.

 

Page last modified Friday, March 10, 2006 by George E. Carroll