Mr. Colvin briefed the Council on recent issues arising with respect to the management of blackfish (tautog).  The stock assessment for this species was updated last year and an addendum to the tautog fishery management plan is under development.  He suggested that now is the time to revisit all the issues concerning blackfish, including various approaches to reducing the rate of fishing mortality, which has been high recently.  Mr. Colvin noted that Councilor John Davi had earlier argued that commercial lobstermen should be allowed to retain more blackfish in their traps, but this would require a reduction in blackfish catches in other fisheries.  He also reminded the Council that the Council has consistently recommended to DEC that the commercial fishery for blackfish be managed as a by-catch fishery, and not managed in such a way as to encourage directed fisheries for this species. 

Mr. Mihale commented that he felt that it was time to start giving out tags and enforcing the rules and regulations concerning fish pots because right now there are no limitations on how many pots you can put out.  There is nothing to stop some from setting an unlimited number of pots and he believes that this is an area that needs control.

Councilor Witek noted that Connecticut does not allow tautog to be fished in the Spring, when the fish are in spawning aggregations, and that Connecticut's bag limits for tautog are smaller but the open season runs longer than in New York.  He believes that New York should consider adopting Connecticut's approach to managing this species. 

Chairman Wise said this will be placed on the agenda for November’s council meeting.

 

Page last modified Friday, November 3, 2006 by George E. Carroll