DEC Contact: Jomo Miller (518) 402-8000 October 27, 2021
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CORRECTION: DEC RELEASES PROPOSED CHANGES TO IMPROVE NEW YORK STATE’S SUNFISH AND CRAPPIE FISHINGProposals Include More Conservative Statewide Regulations and Experimental Regulations to Improve Fishing Opportunities for Larger Sunfish |
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Public Comments Accepted Until Dec. 26, 2021 NOTE: CORRECTIONS IN BOLD BELOW "To ensure quality sunfish and crappie fishing, DEC is proposing regulatory changes to benefit anglers in search of a good catch while continuing the restoration of the state’s natural resources,” Commissioner Seggos said. “New York is home to a wide variety of fishing opportunities and our goal is to increase these opportunities for anglers while bolstering local economies.” The proposed statewide regulations are modest adjustments that reflect DEC and anglers’ recognition that more conservative harvest regulations are needed to ensure conservation safeguards for these resources. The use of social media to quickly draw attention to high quality fishing opportunities and the widespread use of electronic fish finders and other devices to improve fishing efficiency have amplified concerns about overharvest. These proposals were included in the Draft Sunfish and Crappie Management Plan DEC released for public comment earlier this year. The decision to advance these proposals was based on the largely positive feedback DEC received on the plan. Visit the Sunfish and Crappie Management webpage for the assessment of public comments on the draft plan, the Big Panfish Initiative Study Plan, and the rationale for the statewide regulatory proposals. The proposed sunfish regulations associated with the five-year experimental program are intended to take advantage of the ecological capacity of select lakes that may afford greater growth rates. Using minimum length restrictions and reduced daily limits, fishery managers can better develop populations with a greater proportion of older, larger fish. The experiment is proposed to run from 2022 – 2025 and will be applied to only 11 lakes. A decision on whether to continue this management strategy will depend on an evaluation of the results and feedback from the angling public. The proposals include:
The regulatory proposals are available on DEC’s website for review and public comment. Comments on the proposals should be submitted via e-mail to regulations.fish@dec.ny.gov or via mail to the Inland Fisheries Section, NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4753, with the subject line "Sunfish and Crappie Regulations." Comments will be accepted through Dec. 26, 2021. |
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