New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation extending the state’s management of its conch, whelk, and winter flounder fisheries.
“By signing these bills, Governor Hochul ensures DEC [Department of Environmental Conservation] has the continued authority needed to protect vulnerable winter flounder and whelk population from further decline and support the long-term sustainability of New York’s historic commercial fishing industry,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a release.
Since 1981, Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic winter flounder landings have dropped from 22.6 million pounds to just 167,772 pounds. According to New York State Senator Erik Bottcher, who sponsored the legislation, both the whelk and conch populations are also vulnerable to overharvesting and need state protections.
The two bills ensure that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) authority to manage those fisheries continues through 31 December 2029. DEC can set catch limits, harvesting seasons, fishing gear, and other measures designed to prevent overfishing of the three species.
“Winter flounder once supported a thriving fishery in our region, but commercial landings have fallen by more than 99 percent from their peak,” Bottcher said in a release. “Whelk in Long Island Sound have also shown troubling signs of depletion. These laws ensure DEC has the tools to protect these species while supporting the fishermen, businesses and coastal communities that depend on healthy fisheries. I thank Governor Hochul for signing these measures.”
