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DEC Focuses on the Decline of Hudson River Shad Populations
The Hudson River American shad population is at historic lows, prompting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to implement fishing restrictions and study other opportunities to further protect this important species and its habitat, Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.
Effective immediately, emergency regulations have been adopted to help reduce the amount of adult shad taken by fishing. This means implementing a catch-and-release-only season for recreational fishing. For commercial fishing, the actions include a limit on certain types of fishing gear, restrictions on times and places where fishing is allowed, and other changes.
These actions stem from a recent assessment of Hudson River American shad that indicate stocks are at historic lows. The survey was conducted by DEC staff as part of a coastwide assessment of American shad stocks under the coordination of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
ASMFC), of which New York is a participant. The population of Hudson River American shad has declined significantly since the early 1990s. Of particular concern to DEC biologists is that the shad comprising the spawning stock (adult fish) have become smaller and younger, and mortality has increased to excessive and unacceptable levels. Meanwhile, juvenile production dropped to an all time low in 2002 and has not recovered. This current level is 70 percent lower than the long-term average measured since 1980. The primary cause of the changes to the shad population has been over-fishing.
DEC is committed to the recovery of American shad stocks. In addition to the regulations announced today, the agency is exploring ways to implement an ecosystem-based analysis of the shad population as well as cooperative initiatives with other East Coast states through ASMFC to achieve population recovery goals. Ecosystem-based management is an integrated approach to decision making that considers an entire ecological community, including humans, to create a sound blueprint for the near and long-term. Potential projects include identifying sources of ocean bycatch losses, habitat restoration, and identification of potential predators and food chains.
DEC has adopted new requirements that will make recreational fishing for shad catchand release-only. Recreational fishing usually takes place from late March through early June, when shad are in the Hudson to spawn.
To address commercial fishing, changes include longer periods of no fishing each week (known as an "escapement period"), gear limits, and designation of certain areas along the Hudson as closed or restricted to shad fishing. The commercial season runs from March 15 to June 15 annually.
The emergency regulations were developed following meetings held by DEC earlier this year with anglers and commercial fisherman. The duration of these restrictions will depend on results of continued annual stock monitoring. Results from these studies will be evaluated annually. If young shad production remains low or declines within the next year, DEC will consider further restrictions. If the production of young increases and remains high for at least five years, DEC will consider relaxing restrictions
Prior to today's action, New York has pursued other ways to protect shad. In 2005, New York worked through the ASMFC to close ocean harvest of American shad for commercial fishing. This action substantially reduced losses of Hudson River American shad, but it did not solve the problem of continued low production of juveniles and continued excessive mortality from fishing. The few fish produced from 2002 to 2007 are now returning as adults and are what remains to rebuild the stock. These fish must be protected if the shad stock is to recover. Analysis indicates that there must be a harvest reduction of approximately 50 percent, and must be accompanied by a fourfold increase in the production of young fish.
In addition, ASMFC is considering reductions in mortality for shad stocks in decline, such as in the Hudson. However, the new amendment will not be finalized until August 2009 and no actions would likely be required until 2010. This amendment is a step towards assisting the rebuilding of shad stocks, but DEC decided that it could not wait two more years to stop the decline of the Hudson shad and opted for immediate implementation of state-specific restrictions.
For further information regarding New York's fishing regulations please visit the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/ index.html . The emergency regulations will be posted on the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/ propregulations.html For additional information about DEC Marine Resources- Hudson River Fisheries programs please contact the Bureau of Marine Resources at (845)-256-3071 or r3hrf@gw.dec.state.ny.us While the emergency restrictions announced today are in place, DEC is proposing to make these regulations permanent. The draft proposal will appear in the State Register on April 2, 2008, and a 45-day public comment period will be held. The comment period ends on May 17, 2008. The public can send comments to r3hrf@gw.dec.state.ny.us , or by mail to Kathy Hattala, NYSDEC-Hudson River Fisheries Unit, 21 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, NY 12561.
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