Mr. Gilmore stated that New York is being faced with a required reduction in its recreational scup fishery for 2008 of 53%.  He asked DEC staff member Steve Heins to elaborate. Scup management uses a conservation equivalency approach much like that used in the East Coast recreational fluke fishery.  However, 97% of recreationally harvested scup is caught within the waters of states: New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Recently, DEC discussed with representatives from these other states and others in the recreational scup fishery the best way to implement this reduction.  The main focus of the discussion was to keep the region together and not try to deal with this state-by-state.  The states have decided to not, at this time, further exacerbate the situation by voluntarily accepting an additional 10% reduction in the 2008 scup recreational target because of noncompliance. In these discussions, it was suggested to keep the minimum size limit the same, thereby minimizing the effect of non-compliance.  Many from the four states thought that a 10-1/2” minimum size limit, with a 10-fish bag limit and an open season of May 24th – September 26th would be acceptable.  Representatives from the "for-hire" industry argued for an 11" minimum size limit and also wanted to maintain a bonus season during which the possession limit would increase.  They settled on a 45-fish possession limit during the bonus season, which would run for 44 days.  A consensus proposal on 2008 regional recreational scup management is being fleshed out by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, along with a summary of the above meeting.  Mr. Kanyuk, who had also attended the meeting, remembered a slightly different mix of measure being most favored, but advised waiting for the Connecticut proposal/report.

Councilor Danielson was uncomfortable with a 10-fish possession limit for scup; he does not believe this would be fair or equitable.  Councilor Charles Witek agreed in part with Mr. Danielson.  He noted, however, that there is an established precedent; this year there was a 25-fish bag limit for 60 days.  He further commented that fluke are not available in September and sea bass are not going to be able to support that much recreational fishing effort.  Having the scup season open in September becomes very important for the bottom fisherman who wants to go fishing before October 1st, when the tautog season opens.  Councilor Dearborn is not happy with the suggested numbers but is relieved to see that the recreational scup season would open before Memorial Day and run through Labor Day.  She is worried that increasing the minimum size limit for scup will automatically begin to deprive managers of data that might allow for a reduction in minimum size at some time in the future, i.e., shorts are thrown back, not counted.

Chairman Wise stated that scup recreational management measures for 2008 will be put on the agenda for the Council's 11 March 2008, by which time the report from Connecticut will hopefully be available.

 

Page last modified Wednesday, February 27, 2008 by George E. Carroll