April 2, 2014 — Just two months after new fluke fishing size and catch limits gave New York anglers some relief, North Fork charter boat captains say a new regulation will keep fishermen docked during the height of the local season.
State Department of Conservation officials have announced the 2014 fluke fishing season will not open until May 17 — more than two weeks after New York’s historical start date around May 1, said Captain Bob Busby, president of the North Fork Captains Association (NFCA).
The announcement follows a February vote by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to combine New York, New Jersey and Connecticut into a single region with regard to fluke size and catch limits. ASMFC helps regulate the region’s fluke stock.
New Jersey and Connecticut’s fluke season traditionally starts in mid-May, according to state environmental agency websites.
The new regulation is expected to cost area charter boat owners approximately 30 percent of their fluke season revenues, according to a letter outlining local concerns sent by the NFCA to regional lawmakers and state DEC officials.
“These new rules will clearly cause economic devastation out here for the charter/party fleet,” the letter reads.
“May is when the North Fork gets its run of fish,” Mr. Busby said in an interview Friday. “We get the May rush and they move east. They don’t stay here long.”
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