Marine Protected Resources

Humpback whale feeding in the Great South Channel.
Photo by: Nicole Starkweather

DEC is responsible for the management and conservation of marine animals that are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and/or the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and New York State Conservation Law and Environmental Conservation Regulations. We work in close coordination with federal partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Greater Atlantic regional offices and other partners within the state of New York.

Marine protected resources in New York State include:

• Marine mammals (seals, whales, and dolphins)
• Sea turtles
• Sharks
• Atlantic sturgeon

The New York Ocean Action Plan (OAP) outlines long-term goals and actions led by the State over a ten year period (2017-2027) for a healthier ocean ecosystem that will benefit both people and the environment. Several of the activities and programs described in the OAP involve important marine protected resources. These species often overlap with a number of human activities in New York waters such as boat traffic, commercial and recreational fishing activities, and offshore wind energy development, as well as pollution and the consequences of climate change. Ensuring protection of these species while also allowing legal activities that positively contribute to New York State to remain sustainable is our primary focus.

Responsible Viewing and Stranding Response

DEC urges responsible viewing of marine mammals and sea turtles at all times. If you observe an animal on land, never approach it closer than 50 yards (150 feet) to the animal. Pets should remain leashed and should not approach the animals.

For more information visit NOAA's Marine Life Viewing Guidelines (leaves DEC website).

While viewing these unique animals responsibly, you can contribute to the state's data on marine protected resources occurrence and distribution. Report observation to DEC using the resources below:

Sturgeon: On Long Island or in New York City, call (631) 444-0444. In the Hudson River region, please call (845) 256-3073.

Sharks: Report using the Shark Spotter survey.

Fish kills: Report these observations to DEC's Marine Life Incident Report online survey.

Marine mammal and sea turtles: Report using Flipper Files survey.

If a marine mammal or sea turtle appears sick, injured, or dead, call the 24-hour New York Stranding Hotline at (631) 369-9829.

New York Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Stranding Hotline

DEC supports marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response performed by the NY Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) (links leave DEC website). These groups work to respond to stranding events and maintain the wellness of protected species. Report observations to the Stranding Hotline immediately by calling (631) 369-9829.

Marine Mammal Take Reduction Plans

DEC participates on all applicable take reduction teams for marine mammals. States are responsible for facilitating federal Take Reduction Plans (TRPs) (link leaves DEC website), which apply in all marine waters up to the shoreline. All state and federal commercial fishing operations must follow the measures described in TRPs.

A federal rule making (leaves DEC website) involving trap/pot fisheries, primarily the lobster fishery, from Maine to Rhode Island is currently underway. The Proposed Rule under the Atlantic Large Whale TRP was published in December 2020. The Final Environmental Impact Statement was released in July 2021 and the Record of Decision is expected in August 2021.NOAA continues to work with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (TRT) and constituents to put measures in place for other trap/pot and gillnet fisheries along the east coast.

New York adheres to three Take Reduction Teams (links leave DEC website):

Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Team Plan

The Bottlenose Dolphin TRP in the Mid-Atlantic area extends to the NJ/NY state waters line but does not currently include waters in New York. The Plan's regulatory measures impact the Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery and includes best practice recommendations for blue crab trap/pot gear such as using sinking lines.

Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team Plan

The Harbor Porpoise TRP focuses on commercial gillnet gear, which causes the most bycatch. New York exempted waters are: Moriches Bay Inlet, Fire Island Inlet, and Jones Inlet. The Mid-Atlantic's gear modification requirements apply to New York in during the following:

Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team Plan

The Atlantic Large Whale TRP (ALWTRP) focuses primarily on North Atlantic right whale, humpback whale, and fin whale entanglements in commercial gillnet and trap/pot gear along the east coast. ALWTRP applies to the following fisheries except in marine waters of Long Island Sound and New York Harbor:

• Mid-Atlantic gillnet
• Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot
• Atlantic blue crab trap/pot
• Atlantic mixed species trap/pot including but not limited to: crab (red, Jonah, and rock), hagfish, fin-fish (black sea bass, scup, tautog, cod, haddock, pollock, redfish/ocean perch, and white hake), conch/whelk, and shrimp.

Fishery observer measuring a striped bass

Fishery Observer Program

From December 2015 through March 2019 an increase in observer coverage was implemented on commercial fishing vessels landing catch in New York and using trawls, gillnets, or pot/traps. The DEC provided funds to NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (NEFOP) to ensure fisheries landing in New York remain open by complying with the federal requirement for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) of protected species (marine mammals, sea turtles, and Atlantic sturgeon). The observer coverage increase provided the best available data for the ITP application, including data on incidental captures of Atlantic sturgeon and bycatch by state permit only vessels. For more information about the Fishery Observer Program visit NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Observer Program (leaves DEC website) for more information.

How You Can Help Marine Protected Resources

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink: This is something you may hear frequently, but these are simple steps to help protect marine species!

• Reduce the amount of materials you use to minimize the amount of waste you create.
• Reuse and repurpose items that you may no longer use.
• Recycle everything you can! Making an effort to separate your items for recycling will help reduce the number of items ending up in landfill.
• Rethink your daily activities and the materials you use and the items you discard. There are many simple changes we can make in our lifestyles to help the environment, which ultimately help marine animals.
• For more information, visit the DEC Recycling and Composting webpage.

2. Do not litter: Trash makes its way just about everywhere, including into our waterbodies. If you're unable to find a trash or recycling receptacle right away, hold on to your garbage until you can properly dispose of it. Learn more about waste management on the DEC Waste Management webpage.

3. Don't release balloons or lanterns: The intentional release of balloons into the environment is potentially fatal for fish and wildlife. Balloons and plastic bags are commonly mistaken as prey by many marine species. Once ingested, the animal's digestive tract can be blocked, causing it to become sick or starve to death. Avoid using balloons and plastic bags to reduce the possibility of them contributing to pollution. Visit the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service webpage (leaves DEC website) for more information about balloons and wildlife.

4. Volunteer your time and make donations: There are many organizations that are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Getting involved at a local level is a great way to help marine species. Consider donating to or volunteering with local organizations. Beach and park clean ups are a great opportunity to connect the community and help protect the environment. If you can't find a local event, just gather your friends and family members and create your own!

5. Stay Informed and share your knowledge: The best thing you can do is to stay informed and continue to learn about the issues and threats to the ocean and marine life. The more you learn, the more you'll want to help ensure the marine ecosystem remains healthy. As you continue to educate yourself, share your knowledge with those around you and continue to inform others of how crucial it is to protect the marine environment.

• Find on this Page
• • Responsible Viewing and Stranding Response
  • Marine Mammal Take Reduction Plans
• Important Links
• • Marine Mammals of New York
  • Sea Turtles of New York
  • Coastal Sharks
  • Atlantic Sturgeon
  • New York Ocean Action Plan
  • New York Bight Whale Monitoring Program
• PDF Help
• For help with PDFs on this page, please call 631-444-0454.
• Contact for this Page
• Division of Marine Resources
  123 Kings Park Blvd.
  (Nissequogue River State Park)
  Kings Park, New York 11754
  631-444-0454
  
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