Mr. Gilmore said that the Department will most likely issue an emergency regulation setting 2008 size/possession/season limits for the recreational fishery for blackfish in order to meet the requirement of the tautog interstate fisheries management plan requirement that these measures be in place by 01 January 2008.  DEC has prepared a proposal for these limits that follows the principles recommended by the Council at its 25 September 2007 meeting, to wit:

• the required fishing mortality reduction (28.7%) should be achieved entirely from the recreational fishery
• maintain the current recreation season opening date of October 1st
• include a closure during Wave 1 (January/February)
• the possession limit should be no higher than 4 fish

To that end, and assuming a 4-fish bag limit, DEC submitted to the Council the following set of season options for its review and consideration:

Option	Open Seasons	Total Reduction (%)
1	Jan 17-Feb 28; Oct 1-Dec 23	29.2
2	Jan 8 – Feb 21; Oct 1-Dec 23	29.2
3	Jan 17-Apr 30; Oct 1-Dec 20	29.0

Councilor Witek thinks that a January 17 opening would be best because they would be able to reach a 25% reduction.   Chairman Wise questioned if three days in December are really worth a month in the spring?  Yes, they are.  Councilor Jordan said that he has talked to a few men in the for-hire industry; they think that Option 3 would be best.  Councilor John Renaldo agreed with him and   Mr. Stret Whiting also concurred.  Councilor Squeri made a motion that the Council recommend to DEC Option 3 of the above table.  The motion was seconded by Councilor Jordan.  Mr. Squeri's motion was adopted; the vote was 7 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstention.

 

Page last modified Monday, January 7, 2008 by George E. Carroll