Upcoming Meetings
American Shad Public Meetings
With the American shad population in the Hudson River at historic lows, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) plans to propose closing recreational and commercial fishing for American shad in the Hudson and prohibit commercial landings in marine waters. DEC will hold three public information meetings in September to outline steps to be taken to save this historically important species.
In 2007, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission conducted a coast-wide assessment of American shad stocks, with New York biologists playing a lead role. The assessment concluded that the Hudson River shad stock has declined substantially since the 1990s -- and now is at historic lows. Juvenile production dropped to a historically low level in 2002 and has not rebounded. Hudson River recreational and commercial fisheries were restricted in 2008 with the hope that it would trigger some improvement in production of young American shad. Because no change occurred, the DEC plans to pursue fishery closures.
Meetings
At the public meetings, DEC staff will also discuss and explain the measures of the shad population status that would enable a reopening of the recreational and commercial fisheries.
Public information meetings are scheduled for:
- Monday, Sept. 14, 7 - 9 p.m., at Schodack Town Hall, 265 Schuurman Rd., Castleton-on-Hudson
- Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2 - 5 p.m., at the Marine Resources Advisory Council meeting at the DEC Marine Resources Office, 205 Belle Mead Rd., East Setauket.
- Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7 - 9 p.m. at the DEC Region 3 Office, 21 S. Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz.
For links to the American shad recovery plan and the Hudson River stock status report, please see the related links section in the right hand column.
