Hudson River Marine Fisheries
A variety of migrating marine fish species use the waters of the Hudson River for spawning and as a nursery for their young. The DEC conducts many studies and manages several projects to monitor and track the populations and movements of these marine fish. By tracking and monitoring fish populations, DEC seeks to learn about fish migration, the status of certain species, and how environmental factors and fishing can affect them. The information collected allows DEC to more effectively manage and protect these important species. DEC also works with other coastal states through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to help protect New York fish stocks during their ocean migrations. For more information on Hudson River American shad and Hudson River river herring (blueback herring and alewife), please download the stock status summary (PDF) from the right column on this page.
Other Anadromous Stocks
DEC staff also assists in managing Delaware River anadromous fish stocks through participation in the Delaware River Fish and Wildlife Cooperative. The cooperative is made up of representatives from all the Basin States (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware) and both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. The current fisheries focus is on American shad and the recent decline that is occurring in the Delaware River shad stock. For more information on Delaware River American shad, please download the stock status summary (PDF) from the right column on this page.
Hudson River American Shad Recovery Plan
The shad recovery plan, to be implemented by DEC and other partners, will address many of the suspected causes of the fishery's decline. Over-fishing, habitat loss, increased populations of predatory species and competition for food sources are among the many factors to be evaluated. The long-term goal of the plan is to restore shad to healthy and sustainable population levels. A PDF copy of the recovery plan can be downloaded from the right column on this page.
American Shad Public Information 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.
The presentation given at the meetings is available below.
American shad public information meeting presentation (645KB, PDF)
More about Hudson River Marine Fisheries:
- Volunteer River Herring Monitoring Program - Information about the river herring monitoring program
- Upcoming Meetings - Information on upcoming public meetings on Hudson River fisheries management
- Hudson River Fisheries Unit - Managing anadromous fish in the Hudson River Estuary, long term monitoring programs and fishing information
- Guide to Hudson River Fish and Blue Crab Tags - Info about tagged fish and crabs in the Hudson
- Hudson River Recreational Fishing Survey - Recreational fishing survey for the Hudson River
- Adult Atlantic Sturgeon - Details on the work being done on the Hudson sturgeon
- Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon Monitoring - Monitoring the juvenile Atlantic sturgeon population in the Hudson River Estuary
- Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon Sonic Tracking Project - Monitoring the seasonal movement of hatchery and wild Atlantic sturgeon within the Hudson River
- Blue Crabs of the Hudson River - Tagging Blue crabs in the Hudson River
- Blue Crab Fishery Monitoring - Monitoring the blue crab fishery in the Hudson River
- Catch and Release Mortality of American Shad and Striped Bass - Catch and release information for striped bass and American shad
- River Herring Spawning Stock Survey - River herring life history and spawning population project
- Black Bass Study - Monitoring the smallmouth and largemouth populations in the Hudson River
- New York River Herring Stock Status - August 2009 stock status update for NY river herring.
- Delaware River American Shad Stock Status - August 2009 stock status update for Delaware River American shad
- Reports on Reopening a Hudson River Striped Bass Commercial Fishery - 1999 and 2001 reports from the committee to assess the reopening of the striped bass commercial fishery
