Commercial Quota Harvest Limits
Governor Cuomo and Attorney General James Announce Lawsuit Challenging Federal Quota For New York's Fluke Fisheries For 2020-21 (link leaves DEC website).
Quota Managed Species
Updated January 15, 2020
| Species | Fishery Status | Trip Limit | Minimum Length | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Flounder | Open | 140 lbs daily | 14" total length* | 01/08/20 |
| Fixed Gear: Open | 140 lbs daily | 01/08/20 | ||
| Weekly Program: Open | 1000 lbs weekly | 01/14/20 | ||
| Scup | Open | 50,000 lbs daily | 9" total length* | 01/01/20 |
| Weekly Program: Closed | - | 06/15/19 | ||
| Black Sea Bass | Open | 150 lbs daily | 11" total length * | 01/01/20 |
| Striped Bass | Closed | - | - | 12/16/19 |
| Bluefish | Open | 5,000 lbs daily | 9" total length* | 01/01/20 |
| Spiny Dogfish | Open | 6,000 lbs daily | - | 01/01/17 |
| Horseshoe crab | Open | 30 crab daily | - | 01/01/20 |
| Menhaden | Hook and line: Open | 40,000 lbs daily | - | 10/09/18 |
| Daily by-catch: Open | 40,000 lbs daily | - | 07/09/18 | |
| Weekly Program: Open | 120,000 lbs per week | - | 07/09/18 |
*Total length is the longest straight line measurement from the tip of the snout, with the mouth closed, to the longest lobe on the caudal fin (tail), with the lobes squeezed together, laid flat on the measuring device, except that black sea bass are measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail, not including the tail filament.
**In accordance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) fishery management plan for menhaden, permit holders may continue to land menhaden, up to 6,000 lbs per day, in non-directed fisheries or with non-directed gear types after the directed fishery has closed. Non-directed gears include cast nets; gill nets; trap nets and other fixed nets; trawls; pots; and seines other than purse seines. Hook and line is considered a directed gear and may not be used for the commercial harvest of menhaden once the directed fishery has closed. If you have questions about other gear types, please contact the Commercial Fisheries Unit at 631-444-5621.
All Other Species
Visit the commercial harvest limits page to view limits for other commercially harvested fish. For more information on lobsters, crabs and whelk, visit the commercial limits for lobsters, crabs & whelk page.
Quota Distribution Plans for scup, summer flounder, black sea bass and bluefish are available.
The table above provides a summary of trip limits for quota managed commercial fisheries in New York. Check with the Division of Marine Resources (631-444-5621) to ensure these fishing limits are in effect, as laws and regulations are frequently amended by the state legislature, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and DEC.